The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7181 p52-53
19 January 2002

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Products

Prescription Products
• Somatuline Autogel
• Nitromin 200 spray
• Famotidine tablets
• Ketoconazole shampoo
• Humalog preparations
SPC changes
• Voltarol Ophtha eye-drops
• Bezalip tablets
• Madopar preparations
• Convulex capsules
• Maxtrex tablets
• Nicorette Microtab
Discontinued products
• Lexotan tablets
• Temazepam tablets
Supply problems
• Carbo-Dome cream
Counter medicines
• Clearsore cream
• Oilatum cream new pack size
• Cetraben Emollient Cream

Recall Zithromax suspension

Prescription Products

Somatuline Autogel

Somatuline (lanreotide) Autogel 60mg, 90mg and 120mg prefilled syringes have been launched (Ipsen); net price, 1 prefilled syringe 60mg £542, 90mg £722, 120mg £932. In patients receiving a somatostatin analogue for the first time, the recommended starting dose is 60mg administered every 28 days. See SPC for doses when changing from Somatuline LA to Somatuline Autogel.

Nitromin 200 spray

A 200-dose canister of Nitromin (glyceryl trinitrate) 400µg per dose sublingual spray is being launched (Servier Laboratories); net price, £3.13.

Famotidine tablets

Famotidine 20mg tablets, pack size 28, have been launched by Generics (UK); net price, £12.02.

Ketoconazole shampoo

Ketoconazole 2 per cent shampoo, pack size 120ml, has been launched (Alpharma); net price, £5.84.

Humalog preparations

The packaging for the Humalog (recombinant human insulin analo-gue) range has been redesigned (Eli Lilly & Co) (see right).

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SPC changes

Voltarol Ophtha eye-drops

The licensed indications for Voltarol Ophtha (diclofenac sodium) 0.1 per cent eye-drops have been extended (Novartis Pharmaceuticals). Voltarol Ophtha is now additionally licensed for the treatment of inflammation and discomfort after strabismus (squint) surgery. One drop should be instilled four times daily in the first week, three times daily in the second week, twice daily in the third week and as required in the fourth week. The warning that no specific studies of use have been performed in children has been removed.

Voltarol Ophtha is additionally licensed for the treatment of ocular pain and discomfort after radial keratotomy. One drop should be instilled before surgery and one drop should be instilled immediately after surgery and then one drop four times daily for up to two days.

Bezalip tablets

The summaries of product characteristics for Bezalip (bezafibrate) tablets and Bezalip Mono tablets have been updated (Roche Products). Changes have been made with reference to usage in patients with renal dysfunction. The undesirable effects sections for both products has has been reformatted. See SPC.

Madopar preparations

The summaries of product characteristics for Madopar (levodopa, benserazide) capsules, Madopar dispersible tablets and Madopar CR capsules have been revised (Roche Products). Additions have been made with regard to anaesthesia and drug interactions with ferrous sulphate, metoclopramide, diazepam, tricyclic antidepressants, antihypertensive agents, monoamine-oxidase inhibitors and treatment with a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor. The undesirable effects section has been reformatted. See SPC.

Convulex capsules

Information on use in pregnancy and breast feeding has been updated in the summaries of product characteristics for Convulex (valproic acid) 150mg, 300mg and 500mg capsules (Pharmacia). The storage requirements have been amended from "store at room temperature" to "do not store above 25C".

Maxtrex tablets

The shape of Maxtrex (methotrexate) 10mg tablets has been changed from round to capsule-shaped (Pharmacia). The summary of product characteristics has been amended accordingly.

Nicorette Microtab

The summary of product characteristics for Nicorette Microtab 2mg sublingual tablet has been updated to include palpitations and atrial fibrillation under the undesirable effects section (Pharmacia). The shelf-life of the product has been changed from three to two years. The storage requirements have been changed from "store at room temperature" to "do not store above 25C".

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Discontinued products

Lexotan tablets

Lexotan 1.5mg and 3mg tablets have been discontinued (Roche Pharmaceuticals).

Temazepam tablets

Pharmacia has discontinued its supply of temazepam 10mg and 20mg tablets, pack size 28. The company will continue to supply temazepam elixir, pack size 300ml.

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Supply problems

Carbo-Dome cream

Carbo-Dome (coal tar solution 10 per cent) cream, pack size 100g, is now back in stock (Lagap Pharmaceuticals). Any back orders will be dispatched immediately.

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Counter medicines

Clearsore cream

Clearsore (aciclovir) 5 per cent cream, pack size 2g, is being launched (Auden McKenzie [Pharma Division]); net price, £2.85, retail price, £4.49. The product is licensed as a pharmacy medicine for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections of the lips and face.

Oilatum cream new pack size

A 150g pack size of Oilatum cream is being launched (Stiefel Laboratories); net price, £3.38, retail price, £5.96. The product is a general sale list medicine.

Cetraben Emollient Cream

Cetraben Emollient Cream 500g is now licensed as a general sale list product for the symptomatic relief of red, inflamed, damaged, dry or chapped skin, especially when associated with endogenous or exogenous eczema (Sankyo Pharma).

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