The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7240 p363
15 March 2003

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Products

Prescription Products
• Levitra tablets
• Avodart capsules
• Fluconazole capsules
Counter medicines
• Canesten Oral
• Niche Generics

Prescription Products

Levitra tablets

Composition: Vardenafil tablets 5mg, 10mg and 20mg.

Presentation: Orange round film-coated tablets.

Class: Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) inhibitor.

Indications: Treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Dosage: One 10mg tablet to be taken approximately 25–60 minutes before sexual activity. Dosage may be increased to 20mg or decreased to 5mg. In elderly men or those with hepatic impairment an initial dosage of 5mg is recommended. Maximum dosing frequency is once daily. Onset of activity may be delayed if taken with a high-fat meal.

Contraindications: Vardenafil is not indicated for use in women or individuals below 18 years of age. Its use is contraindicated in men taking nitrates or those for whom sexual activity is inadvisable because of cardiac disease.

Major cautions: The cardiovascular status of patients should be assessed before treatment starts. Interactions may occur with other drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes including ketoconazole or itraconazole, protease inhibitors, erythromycin, and with grapefruit juice.

Side effects: Very common (>10 per cent) adverse reactions are flushing and headache. Common (1–10 per cent) are dyspepsia, nausea, dizziness and rhinitis. Uncommon (<1 per cent) are hypertension, photosensitivity reaction and abnormal vision.

Legal category: POM. Levitra tablets are expected to be subject to Schedule 11 restrictions on National Health Service prescribing.

Net price: Tablets 5mg 4 £16.58, 8 £33.19; 10mg 4 £19.34, 8 £38.67; 20mg 4 £23.50, 8 £46.99.

Contact details: Bayer Plc, Pharmaceutical Division, Bayer House, Strawberry Hill, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 1JA (tel 01635 563000).

Avodart capsules

Composition: Dutasteride capsules 0.5mg.

Presentation: Yellow soft gelatin capsules.

Class: 5a-reductase inhibitor.

Indications: Treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Dosage: One 0.5mg capsule daily swallowed whole with or without food. No dosage adjustment is necessary for subjects with renal impairment or for the elderly. The effect of hepatic impairment on dutasteride pharmacokinetics has not been studied.

Contraindications: Dutasteride is contraindicated for use in women or children. Its use is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to dutasteride, other 5a-reductase inhibitors, or any component of the preparation.

Major cautions: Dutasteride capsules should not be handled by pregnant women or women who may become pregnant. Men treated with dutasteride should not donate blood until at least six months have passed following their last dose. Care should be taken when administering dutasteride to patients with liver disease and to those taking potent, chronic CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors (eg, ritonavir)

Side effects: Drug-related adverse events reported in Ž1 per cent of patients include impotence, decreased libido, ejaculation disorder and gynecomastia.

Legal category: POM.

Net price: Tablets 0.5mg 30 £26.68.

Contact details: GlaxoSmithKline UK Limited, Stockley Park West, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1BT (tel 020 8990 2144).

Fluconazole capsules

Fluconazole capsules have been launched by:

• Niche Generics Ltd; net price, 50mg 7 £14.12, 150mg 1 £6.05, 200mg 7 £56.46

• IVAX Pharmaceuticals; net price, 50mg 7 £14.94, 150mg 1 £6.40, 200mg 7 £59.77

Back to Top

Counter medicines

Canesten Oral

Canesten Oral (fluconazole 150mg) has been launched for the treatment of vaginal thrush and for treatment of partners with penile thrush (Bayer). Suggested retail price one capsule pack £12.50. Legal category: pharmacy medicine.

Niche Generics

Niche Generics has launched a one-capsule pack of fluconazole 150mg for the treatment of vaginal thrush. Net price, 150mg 1 £5.99. Legal category: pharmacy medicine.

Back to Top