PJ Online | Products

Indications: Symptomatic relief in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment of acute gouty arthritis. Relief of chronic musculoskeletal pain, including chronic low back pain. Relief of acute pain associated with dental surgery. Treatment of prim-ary dysmenorrhoea.

Major cautions and contra-indications: As for other cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors. Etoricoxib is contraindicated in children under 16 years of age.

Legal category: POM.

Net price: 60mg 28 £22.96, 90mg 28 £22.96,120mg 7 £5.74.

Contact details: Merck Sharp & Dohme, Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 9BU. Tel 01992 467272, fax 01992 479292.

See SPC for further details.

Lumigan eye-drops

Composition: Bimatoprost 0.3mg/ml.

Presentation: Eye-drops.

Class: Antiglaucoma agent.

Indications: Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. As monotherapy in patients insufficiently responsive or intolerant to first-line therapy and where such therapy is contraindicated. As adjunctive therapy to beta-blockers.

Major cautions: Before treatment is initiated, patients should be informed of the possibility of eyelash growth, darkening of the eyelid skin and increased iris pigmentation. Bimatoprost should be used with caution in patients with compromised respiratory function and those with known risk factors for macular oedema. Bimatoprost should not be used in pregnancy unless clearly necessary and it is not recommended for use by nursing mothers.

Side effects: Very common (>10 per cent) undesirable effects are conjunctival hyperaemia, growth of eyelashes and ocular pruritus.

Legal category: POM.

Net price: 3ml £11.46.

Contact details: Allergan, Coronation Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 3SH. Tel 01494 444722, fax 01494 473593.

See SPC for further details.

Riamet tablets

Composition: Artemether 20mg, lumefantrine 120mg.

Presentation: Tablets.

Class: Blood schizontocide.

Indications: Treatment of acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in patients aged 12 years or over and a body weight of 35kg or over.

Major cautions and contra-indications: Riamet is contraindicated in: complicated malaria; patients who are taking any drug which inhibits the cytochrome enzyme CYP3A4 or any drug which is metabolised by CYP2D6; patients with a family history of sudden death or of congential prolongation of the QTc interval on electrocardiograms; pre-existing cardiac disease; patients taking drugs, or who have a clinical condition, known to prolong the QTc interval. Caution is advised for patients with: pre-existing prolongation of the QT interval; a history of symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias; disturbances of electrolyte balance; clinically relevant bradycardia or congestive cardiac failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Caution is advised when administering Riamet to patients with severe renal or hepatic problems. Riamet should not be given concurrently with any other antimalarial. Treatment should only be considered during pregnancy if expected benefit outweighs risk to foetus. Breastfeeding should not resume until at least one week after the last dose of Riamet. Riamet should be taken with food.

Side effects: Very common (Ž10 per cent) adverse events are headache, dizziness, abdominal pain and anorexia.

Legal category: POM.

Net price: 24 £22.50.

Contact details: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Frimley Business Park, Frimley, Surrey GU16 7SR. Tel 01276 698370, fax 01276 698449.

See SPC for further details.

Rapamune tablets

Rapamune (sirolimus) 1mg tablets have been launched (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals); net price, 30 £90 100 £300.

Terazosin tablets

Terazosin 2mg tablets, pack size 28, have been launched (Generics UK); net price, £8.07.

IVAX products

IVAX Pharmaceuticals has launched the following products:

• Ciprofloxacin tablets; net price, 100mg 6 £2.52, 250mg 10 £6.75, 500mg 10 £12.78, 750mg 10 £18

• Doxazosin tablets; net price, 1mg 28 £9.50, 2mg 28 £11.96, 4mg 28 £12.67

• Propranolol tablets; net price, 10mg 28 59p, 40mg 28 65p

• Naftidrofuryl capsules; net price, 100mg 84 £7.91

• Trimethoprim tablets; net price, 200mg 14 68p

• Nitrazepam tablets; net price, 5mg 28 90p

Omeprazole capsules and tablets

Omeprazole capsules and tablets have been launched by the following companies:

• IVAX Pharmaceuticals; net price, capsules and tablets, 10mg 28 £17.01, 20mg 28 £25.70, 40mg 7 £12.85

• Alpharma; net price, capsules 10mg 28 £18.91, 20mg £28.56, tablets 10mg 28 £18.91, 20mg 28 £28.56, 40mg 7 £14.28

• Lagap Pharmaceuticals; net price, capsules and tablets 10mg 28 £18.91, 20mg 28 £28.56, 40mg 7 £14.28

Pethidine injection

Pethidine 50mg/ml injection is being launched by Auden McKenzie; net price, 10 x 1ml ampoules £5.26, 10 x 2ml ampoules £5.56.

SPC changes

Xeloda new indication

The summary of product character-istics for Xeloda (capecitabine) has been updated (Roche). Xeloda is now additionally indicated, in combination with docetaxel, for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic chemotherapy that includes an anthracycline. It is also now licensed as monotherapy after failure of taxanes and an anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimen, or for patients in whom further anthracycline therapy is not indicated.

MabThera infusion

The licensed indications for MabThera (rituximab) have been extended (Roche). MabThera is now additionally indicated for the treatment of patients with CD20 positive diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in combination with CHOP chemotherapy.

Discontinued products

Vitamin A Palmitate ampoules

Vitamin A Palmitate 100,000 iu/2ml ampoules will be discontinued on 31 July (Cambridge Laboratories).

Supply problems

Alpharma products

The following Alpharma products are out of stock:

• Chlorphenamine 4mg tablets, pack size 28

• Potassium effervescent tablets, pack size 56. New stock is expected to be available in May

• Hydralazine 25mg tablets, pack size 56. New stock is expected by the end of July

Further information can be obtained from Alpharma (tel 01271 311200).

Ocuvite tablets

Ocuvite tablets, a multivitamin and mineral supplement, are now back in stock (Intrapharm Laboratories).

Counter medicines

Lamisil AT spray

Lamisil AT (terbinafine) 1 per cent spray has been launched (Novartis Consumer Health); retail price, 15ml £4.99. The product is licensed as a pharmacy medicine for the treatment of tinea pedis, tinea cruris, dhobi itch and tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton spp and Epidermophyton floccosum. It should not be used by children under 16 years of age.