The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7167 p423
29 September 2001

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Products

Prescription Products
• Detrusitol XL capsules
SPC changes
• AmBisome injection
• Tramadol injection
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Supply problems
• Harmogen tablets
Discontinued products
• Eprex injection
• Dovonex cream and ointment

Recall Serenace injection

Prescription Products

Detrusitol XL capsules

Detrusitol (tolterodine tartrate) XL 4mg capsules, a prolonged release formulation of tolterodine, have been launched by Pharmacia (net price, 28 £29.03).

Back to Top

SPC changes

AmBisome injection

The summary of product characteristics for AmBisome (liposomal amphotericin) injection (Gilead Sciences) has been updated. The shelf-life of the product has been extended from 30 to 36 months. The special precautions section for unopened vials now states: “Do not store above 25C”.

Tramadol injection

The summary of product characteristics for tramadol hydrochloride 100mg/2ml (Sterwin Medicines) has been amended. The section on posology and administration now indicates that the product should be administered by the intravenous route only. The intramuscular route has been excluded.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Novartis Pharmaceuticals has updated the summaries of product characteristics for the following products:

• Estracombi (combination pack containing Estraderm TTS 50 and Estragest [estradiol, norethisterone acetate] TTS) patches

• Estraderm (estradiol) MX patches

• Estraderm TTS patches

• Estrapak 50 (combination pack containing Estraderm TTS 50 and norethisterone acetate tablets)

• Menorest (17b-estradiol) patches

Changes have been made to the special warnings and precautions for use section with regard to the advice given to doctors for managing patients on hormone replacement therapy. Patient information leaflets have also been updated.

Back to Top

Supply problems

Harmogen tablets

Harmogen (estropipate) 1.5mg tablets, pack size 28, are now back in stock (Pharmacia).

Back to Top

Discontinued products

Eprex injection

Eprex (epoetin alfa) injection 1,000iu, 2,000iu, 4,000iu and 10,000iu vials (Ortho Biotech, a division of Janssen-Cilag) are being discontinued. The 40,000iu vials and all strengths of Eprex prefilled syringes remain available.

Dovonex cream and ointment

The 30g and 60g pack sizes of both Dovonex (calcipotriol) cream and Dovonex ointment (Leo Pharmaceuticals) are being discontinued from the beginning of October. The 120g pack of Dovonex cream and the 120g and 240g packs of Dovonex ointment remain available.

Back to Top