PJ Online | Products

Major cautions and contra-indications: Ibandronic acid should not be used in children (<18 years of age) or during pregnancy. It is contraindicated during lactation. Caution is indicated in patients with hypersensitivity to other bisphosphonates. Renal function, serum calcium, phosphate and magnesium must be closely monitored.

Side effects: Very common (>10 per cent) adverse event is fever. Common (1-10 per cent) adverse events are hypocalcaemia and bone pain.

Dose: Moderate hypercalcaemia, 2mg single dose; severe hypercalaemia, 4mg single dose.

Legal category: POM.

Net price: 2mg/2ml ampoules 1 £94.86, 5 £474.30.

Contact details: Roche Products, 40 Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden Sity, Hertfordshire AL7 3AY. Tel 0800 3281629, fax 01707 390378.

See SPC for further details.

Tranexamic acid tablets

Tranexamic acid 500mg tablets, pack size 60 have been launched (Link Pharmaceuticals); net price, £14.30.

Erythromycin capsules

Dominion Pharma has introduced erythromycin 250mg capsules into its product range; net price, 28 £5.40.

SPC changes

Progynova TS patches

The product names of Progynova (estradiol) TS patches and Progy-nova TS forte patches have been changed to Progynova TS 50 and Progynova TS 100 respectively (Schering Health Care). The licensed indications for both products have also been extended to include: "Prevention of osteoporosis in women considered at risk of developing fractures".

Discontinued products

Minihep prefilled syringes

Minihep (heparin sodium) 5,000units/0.2ml prefilled syringes will be discontinued when stocks are exhausted. This is expected to be by the middle of July.

Reminyl tablets

The 168-tablet pack size of Reminyl 12mg tablets has been discontinued.

Cloburate eye-drops

Cloburate (clobetasone butyrate) 0.1 per cent eye-drops have been discontinued. Stocks are expected to be exhausted by the end of May.

Cytosar injection

All presentations of Cytosar (cytarabine) injection are being discontinued (Pharmacia). Cytarabine Cytosafe solution for injection 100mg/5ml, 500mg/25ml, 1g/10ml and 2g/10ml remain available.

Supply problems

Aspav tablets

Aspav (aspirin 500mg, papavertum 7.71mg) dispersible tablets will be temporarily unavailable from the beginning of June (Alpharma). New stock is expected to be available either from the end of August or the beginning of September. Further information can be obtained from Alpharma (tel 01271 311200).

Counter medicines

Clarityn Allergy tablets

A 21-tablet pack size of Clarityn Allergy (loratadine) 10mg tablets has been launched (Schering-Plough); retail price, £8.99). Legal category: pharmacy medicine.

Products miscellany

CoaguChek test strips

CoaguCheck test strips are now available for prescribing on the Drug Tariff, with effect from 1 May (Roche Diagnistics); net price, 12 £30, 48 £117.30.