The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 266 No 7148 p694 May 19, 2001

Products

Prescription Products Solaraze gel Zometa infusion Malarone new indication Marevan tablets Ponstan suspension HRF injection Product changes Discontinued Foradil capsules Miscellany Travel stockings Recall MST Continus suspension

Prescription Products Solaraze gel Composition: Diclofenac sodium 3 per cent. Presentation: Gel. Storage and stability: Store below 25C. Action: Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID). Indications: Treatment of actinic keratoses. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to diclofenac, benzyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether 350 and sodium hyaluronate; patients who have experienced hypersensitivity reactions, such as symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis or urticaria, to acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs; last trimester of pregnancy; application to breast area of lactating mothers. Dosage and administration: Adults and elderly, apply to skin twice daily. The amount needed depends on the size of the lesion. Normally 0.5g of gel is used on a 5cm x 5cm lesion. The usual duration of therapy is 60 to 90 days. Complete healing of the lesions or optimal therapeutic effect may not be evident for up to 30 days after cessation of therapy. Maximum daily dose of 8g should not be exceeded. Children, dosage recommendations not established. Pregnancy, see SPC. Lactation, not recommended for use in nursing mothers. Overdosage: Unlikely. See SPC. Precautions: Use with caution in patients with active gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding or reduced heart rate, liver or renal function. Direct sunlight or solarium, should be avoided. Discontinue if skin sensitivity reactions occur. Should not be applied to skin wounds, infections or exfoliative dermatitis and should not come into contact with the eyes. Drug interactions: None reported. Side effects: Pruritus, rash, application site reactions, dry skin, paraesthesia, erythema, hyperaesthesia, oedema, skin ulcers, contact dermatitis, hypertonia, tingling sensation, vesiculobullous rash, skin hypertrophy, eczema, conjunctivitis. See SPC. Net price: 25g £17.90. Supplier: Bioglan Laboratories, 5 Hunting Gate, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 0TJ. Tel 01462 438444, fax 01462 421242. Legal class: POM. Zometa infusion Composition: Zoledronic acid 4mg. Presentation: Powder and solvent for solution for infusion. Action: Bisphosphonate, inhibitor of osteoclastic bone resorption. Indications: Treatment of tumour-induced hypercalcaemia. Contraindications: Pregnancy; breast-feeding; hypersensitivity to active substance, excipients, or other bisphosphonates. Dosage and administration: Adults and elderly, recommended dose 4mg, given as a single 15-minute intravenous infusion. See SPC for instructions on reconstitution and dilution. Mild to moderate renal impairment (serum creatinine <400µmol/L), no dosage adjustment required. Severe renal impairment (serum creatinine ˇ400µmol/L), not re-commended unless benefits outweigh risks. In patients with a history of or predisposition to severe renal dysfunction, serum creatinine should be evaluated before administration. Children, safety and efficacy has not been established. Overdosage: See SPC. Precautions: Serum levels of calcium, phosphate and magnesium should be monitored after initiating treatment. Drug interactions: Caution is advised when bisphosphonates are administered with aminoglycosides. Side effects: Very common adverse events (>10 per cent) include fever. Common adverse events (>1 per cent, <10 per cent) include pancytopenia, confusion, nausea, fatigue, arthralgia, bradycardia, creatinine level elevation, taste perversion, thirst, hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia. Net price: 1 vial and 1 ampoule water for injections £195. Supplier: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Frimley Business Park, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey GU16 5SG. Tel 01276 692255, fax 01276 692508. Legal class: POM. Malarone new indication Malarone is now additionally licensed for the prophy-laxis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Product changes The erythrosine in the capsule shells of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Asasantin Retard (dipyridamole 200mg, aspirin 25mg) and Persantin Retard (dipyrimidamole) has been removed. The company says that the red-coloured part of the capsule is now more of a brownish colour. Asasantin Retard now also has the company’s logo and “01A” printed on the capsule shell. Marevan tablets Marevan (warfarin sodium) 0.5mg tablets, pack size 28, are currently unavailable from Goldshield Pharmaceuticals. The company expects the tablets to be back in stock from May 24. Ponstan suspension Ponstan (mefenamic acid) paediatric suspension 50mg/5ml has been transferred from Elan Pharma to Chemidex Pharma. The suspension, although temporarily unavailable, will continue to be distributed by UDG. All medical information, sales and marketing enquiries should now be directed to Chemidex Pharma (tel 01784 477167). Both Ponstan 250mg capsules and Ponstan Forte 500mg tablets remain Elan Pharma’s products. HRF injection Intrapharm Laboratories has taken over responsibility for the marketing and distribution of HRF (gonadorelin hydrochloride) 100µg and 500µg injections from Shire Pharmaceuticals. However, stocks of the 100µg vial are expected to be unavailable until July. The company says that 500µg multidose vial has been made available on a named patient basis until stocks of the the 100µg become available. All orders should be placed with Farillon, the company’s distributor (tel 01708 379000). Back to Top

Discontinued Foradil capsules Novartis Pharmaceuticals has discontinued Foradil (formoterol fumarate) capsules, pack size 14 (hospital pack). Back to Top

Miscellany Travel stockings Mediven travel stockings, for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis when travelling, have been launched by Medi UK. The company says that the compression stockings are for people with healthy leg veins (net price, £11.25; retail price, £19.82). The stockings are available in five sizes and can be ordered from Medi UK (tel 0800 085 3630, fax 01432 342383) or through its website (www.mediuk.co.uk). Back to Top

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