PJ Online: Products

VioxxAcute (rofecoxib) 25mg and 50mg tablets, for the relief of acute pain and treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea, are being launched by Merck Sharp & Dohme. The recommended initial dose is 50mg once daily and subsequent doses should be 25mg or 50mg once daily. The maximum recommended daily dose is 50mg (net price, 25mg 14 £10.79, 50mg 7 £5.39).

Physiotens

Solvay Healthcare is launching Physiotens (moxonidine) 300µg tablets (net price, 28 £12.35).

Periostat tablets

CollaGenex International is launching Periostat (doxycycline) 20mg tablets (net price,56 £16.50).

Salapin syrup

Pinewood Healthcare is launching Salapin (salbutamol sulphate) 2mg/5ml syrup. The product is sugar-free and has a raspberry-cola flavour (net price, 150ml 61p). Further information can be obtained from Pinewood Healthcare (tel 00 353 52 36253).

InnoLet products

Novo Nordisk has launched the following prefilled syringes containing human insulin (pyr):

Insulatard InnoLet 100iu/ml (isophane insulin) (net price, 5 x 3ml £26.84)

Mixtard 30 InnoLet 100iu/ml (30 per cent soluble insulin, 70 per cent isophane insulin) (net price, 5 x 3ml £26.84).

SPC changes

Actonel 5mg tablets

The licensed indications for Procter & Gamble’s Actonel (risedronate sodium) 5mg tablets have been extended. Actonel 5mg tablets are now additionally licensed for the treatment of established postmenopausal osteoporosis to reduce the risk of hip fractures.

Botox new indication

Botox (clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin complex) injection, an Allergan product, is now addition-ally licensed for the management of severe hyperhidrosis of the axillae, which does not respond to topical treatment with antiperspirants or antihidrotics.

Pariet tablets

The licensed indications for Janssen-Cilag’s Pariet (rabeprazole) tablets have been extended. Pariet tablets are now additionally licensed for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to very severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The recommended dose is 10mg once daily, in patients without oesophagitis. If symptom control has not been achieved after four weeks, the patient should be further investigated.

Adrenaline injection

The summary of product characteristics for Phoenix Pharma’s adrenaline injection has been updated. The name of the product is now adrenaline injection 1 in 1,000. “Bronchial asthma” has been removed from the licensed indications. The product is also no longer used for cardiovascular resuscitation. The dosage recommendations have been revised. “Subcutaneous injection is not generally recommended”, has been added and the statement “Subcutaneous or intramuscular adrenaline is also indicated for cardiovascular procedures” has been removed. Some of the contraindications have been removed and are now precautions for use. Elderly, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been added to the special warnings section. Reference to cyclopropane has been removed from the interactions. “Side effects such as arrhythmias, hypertension (risk of cerebral haemorrhage), pulmonary oedema (on excessive dosage or extreme sensit-ivity), nausea, vomiting, sweating may occur even with small doses of adrenaline”, has been added.

Supply problems

Nubain injection

Importation of Nubain (nalbuphine hydrochloride) 10mg/ml injection, 1ml and 2ml ampoules, from DuPont Pharmaceuticals, into the United Kingdom have stopped as a result of manufacturing difficulties in Puerto Rico. It is unlikely that there will be any further supplies until October.

Ciproxin intravenous infusion

Hospital pharmacists may experience difficulty in obtaining supplies of Ciproxin (ciprofloxacin) 200mg and 400mg Flexibags, from Bayer, through their normal distributor. Stock should be ordered directly from Bayer (fax 01635 563429).

Discontinued products

Clarityn tablets

Schering-Plough is discontinuing Clarityn (loratadine) tablets as of December 3 (see news). The company estimates that stocks will run out by February.

Counter medicines

Eumovate Eczema and Dermatitis cream

Eumovate Eczema and Dermatitis (clobetasone butyrate 0.05 per cent) cream is to be launched by GlaxoSmithKline. The cream is a pharmacy only product and is indicated for short-term treatment and control of patches of eczema and dermatitis including atopic eczema and primary irritant and allergic dermatitis. For adults and children aged 12 years and over, the cream should be applied sparingly to the affected area twice a day for up to seven days. It should not be used on the face, groin, genitals or between the toes (retail price, 15g £5.49).

Warner Lambert Consumer Healthcare new products

Warner Lambert Consumer Healthcare has launched the following three new products:

Non-drowsy Sudafed Dual Relief Max tablets (retail price, 12 £2.47 24 £3.87)

Benylin Sore Throat lozenge (retail price, 24 £1.97)

Benylin Active Response oral solution (retail price, 75ml £4.29)

Non-drowsy Sudafed Dual Relief Max (ibuprofen 200mg, pseudo-ephedrine hydrochloride 30mg) tablets are recommended for adults and children aged 12 years and over.

The product is pharmacy only.

Benylin Sore Throat lozenges contain hexylresorcinol 2.4mg per lozenge. Adults and children 6 years and over, one lozenge should be dissolved slowly in the mouth every three hours as required, up to a maximum of 12 in 24 hours. The lozenges are available in honey and lemon flavour and redcurrant flavour.

Benylin Active Response oral solution, containing Echinacea purpurea, is indicated for the “supportive” treatment of recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract. The recommended dose for adults and children over 12 years is 5ml three times daily, for children aged six to 12 years 5ml twice daily and children aged two to five years is 2.5ml three times daily.

Both Benylin Sore Throat lozenges and Benylin Active Response oral solution are general sale list products.

Correction
Warner Lambert supplied incorrect prices for two of these products.

The correct retail prices are:

Non-drowsy Sudafed Dual Relief Max tablets (retail price, 12 £2.99 24 £4.69)

Benylin Sore Throat lozenge (retail price, 24 £2.39).

Anadin Ultra capsules

A 32-capsule pack of Anadin Ultra (ibuprofen 200mg) capsules has been launched by Whitehall Laboratories. The pharmacy only product will be available from the end of September (retail price, £4.49).

Products miscellany

Insulin devices

Owen Mumford is launching Autopen Junior in 1 unit and 2 unit models. Both devices are compatible with all 3ml insulin cartridges (except those available from Novo Nordisk) (net price, £14.20). Both models will be included in the Drug Tariff from October. The company is also launching 6mm Unifine Pentips pen needles which will be included in the Drug Tariff from October (net price, 100 £11.30).