Products

Prescription Products Valoid tablets and injection Clozaril SPC changes Imazin XL tablets Famotidine tablets Discontinued Lentard MC injection Norprolac tablets Counter medicines Gaviscon Advance Miscellany Air sock Nutralife products Glutafin gluten-free savoury biscuits Herbal medicine leaflets

Prescription Products Valoid tablets and injection CeNeS Pharmaceuticals is introducing packs of Valoid (cyclizine) tablets (net price, 50mg 100 £4.75) and injection (net price, 50mg/ml 1ml 5 £2.71) in the CeNeS livery. This follows the transfer of marketing rights for Valoid from GlaxoSmithKline to CeNeS Pharmaceuticals last November. The new packs will be available in the next few weeks, after which supplies of the old packs will cease. Clozaril SPC changes Novartis Pharmaceuticals has updated the summary of product characteristics for Clozaril (clozapine) tablets. The precautions section now states that tachycardia persisting at rest, “accompanied by arrhythmias, shortness of breath or signs and symptoms of heart failure” may occur rarely, especially during the first month of treatment, and should prompt an urgent diagnostic evaluation for myocarditis. Clozaril should be discontinued if a diagnosis of myocarditis is confirmed. The updated SPC further states that Clozaril has been associated with cases of impairment of intestinal peristalsis which have, on rare occasions, been fatal. The interactions section has also been revised (see SPC) and is now divided into pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions. Imazin XL tablets The packaging of Napp Pharmaceuticals's Imazin XL (aspirin and isosorbide mononitrate) tablets and Imazin XL Forte tablets has changed. The products will now be available in a sealed plastic tub containing a desiccant. The change over to the new packaging will become evident in late April and should be completed by mid-May. For further enquiries, contact the medical information department (tel 01223 424444). Famotidine tablets Famotidine tablets have been launched by Lagap Pharmaceuticals, pack size 28 (net price, 20mg £13.37, 40mg £25.40). Back to Top

Discontinued Lentard MC injection Novo Nordisk has announced that the insulin preparation, Lentard MC, will be discontinued at the end of July. Pharmacists and other health care professionals are being advised to contact any patients known to be on Lentard MC so that they can be transferred to alternative preparations. Information on suitable alternatives and conversion guidelines have been sent to general practitioners and pharmacists. Further information from NovoCare customer care centre (tel 0845 600 5055). Norprolac tablets Due to supply problems, Novartis Pharmaceuticals has discontinued Norprolac (quin- agolide hydrochloride) 150µg tablets with immediate effect. Norprolac 75µg and Norprolac starter pack (containing 25µg and 50µg tablets) are still available and can be used to make up the 150µg dose. Further information is available from the medical information department (tel 01276 698370). Back to Top

Counter medicines Gaviscon Advance Reckitt & Colman's Gaviscon Advance is now available as a peppermint-flavoured liquid (retail price, 80ml £2.30, 180ml £4.19). Back to Top

Miscellany Air sock Activa Health Care has launched Air Sock, a below-knee Class I sock for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with long-haul flying (retail price, per pair, £9.25). A promotion counter unit containing seven pairs of socks for the price of six is also available from wholesalers (net price, £35.34). To support the launch of this product, Activa Health Care has put in place an awareness programme. The programme will be aimed at patients and health care professionals and will recommend that, for Class I compression hosiery, patients should be assessed, measured and fitted by trained pharmacists. Posters and leaflets are being supplied as part of this programme, as well as training for pharmacists. For more details, contact Activa's customer care service (tel 01283 845361). Nutralife products Nutralife has launched NatraFlex cream for use in joint pain. The cream contains three active ingredients: capsaicin (circulatory stimulant and pain reliever), methylsulphonylmethane, MSM (source of organic sulphur which improves joint flexibility and reduces stiffness, swelling and pain) and extracts of Boswellia serrata (anti-inflammatory agent). NatraFlex cream is available as a 100g tub (retail price, £8.95) and should be applied once or twice daily to the affected joints. Nutralife is also introducing NatraVits (a range of preparations containing vitamins and health supplements) and NatraHerbs (a range of herbal preparations). Glutafin gluten-free savoury biscuits Nutricia Dietary Care has launched Glutafin gluten-free savoury short biscuits. The cheese-flavoured biscuits, which are approved by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) to be available on prescription for those with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, are also wheat-free and contain no eggs. They are available in 150g packs containing 18 biscuits (net price, 150g 12 £25.20; retail price 150g £2.80). Herbal medicine leaflets Herbal Concepts has launched four leaflets to complement its range of herbal remedies. The leaflets, which are intended for patients, cover the use of these remedies in tension and fatigue, respiratory complaints, digestive disorders and pain. Each of the leaflets contains a list of active ingredients for each product in the Herbal Concepts range, as well as advice on the use of the products with other medication, in children, and during pregnancy. The leaflets are available free of charge from wholesalers or Herbal Concepts (tel 01296 689045). Back to Top

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