PJ Online | Products

Major cautions and contra-indications: As for other cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors. Parecoxib should be used with caution to treat pain following coronary bypass graft surgery. Parecoxib is contraindicated during the third trimester of pregnancy and breast-feeding and is not recommended in women trying to conceive.

Legal category: POM.

Net price: 10 vials of parecoxib 40mg £49.60; pack containing 5 vials of parecoxib 40mg and 5 ampoules of diluent £28.34.

Contact details: Pharmacia, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes MK5 8PH. Tel 01908 661101, fax 01908 690091.

See SPC for further details.

Generics (UK) products

Generics (UK) has launched the following products:

• Diazepam tablets, pack size 28; net price, 2mg 53p, 5mg 58p

• Doxazosin tablets, pack size 28; net price, 1mg £10.56, 2mg £14.08, 4mg £17.60

• Lormetazepam tablets, pack size 100; net price, 0.5mg £12.16, 1mg £14.43

• Nitrazepam 5mg tablets, pack size 28; net price, 82p

CellCept oral suspension

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) 1g/5ml powder for oral suspension has been launched (Roche Products); net price, 175ml £158.77.

Neotigason capsules

Neotigason 10mg and 25mg capsules are now available in packs of 60 (Roche Products); net price, 10mg £27.15, 25mg £63. (See Discontinued Products).

Agrippal vaccine

Agrippal (formaldehyde-inactivated influenza virus) prefilled syringes are now available in single packs (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals); net price, £5.72.

SPC changes

Questran and Questran Light

The summary of product characteristics for Questran (anhydrous cholestyramine) and Questran Light 4g sachets has been updated. The pack size for both products has been changed from 60 sachets to 50 sachets and, in addition, changes to the formulations have been made. Questran no longer contains sunset yellow and the colour of the resulting suspension has changed from a pale-peach colour to a white/off-white colour. Questran Light no longer contains sucrose or quinoline yellow and the resulting suspension has changed from a lemon/lime colour to a white/off-white colour.

Discontinued products

Zovirax Chickenpox Treatment

Zovirax (aciclovir) 400mg/5ml suspension, pack size 50ml, has been discontinued (GlaxoSmithKline).

Anafranil injection

Anafranil (clomipramine) injection 25mg/2ml is being discontinued. Stocks are expected to be exhausted in May.

Kelfizine W tablets

Kelfizine W (sulfametopyrazine) 2g tablets, pack size 5, will be discontinued as soon as stocks are exhausted (Pharmacia).

Neotigason capsules

The 56-capsule packs of Neotigason 10mg and 25mg capsules have been discontinued.

Supply problems

Diurexan tablets

Supplies of Diurexan (xipamide) 20mg tablets are expected to be delivered to wholesalers in May (Viatris Pharmaceuticals). Any inquiries should be addressed to Viatris, 168 Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0DL (tel 01223 428811, fax 01223 420543).

Metopirone capsules

Metopirone (metyrapone) 250mg capsules are now back in stock following a shortfall in supply (Alliance Pharmaceuticals).

Counter medicines

Voltarol Emulgel P

Voltarol Emulgel P (diclofenac diethylammonium) 1.16 per cent gel is being launched (Novartis Consumer Health); retail price 30g £4.79. The product is licensed as a pharmacy medicine for local symptomatic relief of pain and inflammation in trauma of tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints, eg, due to sprains, strains and bruises; localised forms of soft tissue rheumatism. It is recommended that treatment should be limited to seven days.

Zantac 75 tablets

A 48-tablet pack of Zantac 75 (ranitidine) is being launched (GlaxoSmithKline); retail price £10.99. The legal category of the product is pharmacy medicine.

Benadryl One A Day tablets

Benadryl One A Day tablets and Benadryl One A Day Relief tablets are being launched. Benadryl One A Day tablets are available in packs of 14 as a pharmacy medicine (retail price, £7.95) and Benadryl One A Day Relief tablets are available in packs of seven as a general sale list medicine (retail price, £4.45).