The Pharmaceutical
Journal
Vol 270 No 7244 p510
12 April 2003
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The Pharmaceutical
Journal |
Products |
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Prescription ProductsComposition: Frovatriptan (as succinate monohydrate) 2.5mg. Presentation: Film-coated tablets. Class: Selective 5-HT1 receptor agonist. Indications: Acute treatment of the headache phase of migraine attacks with or without aura. Dosage: The recommended dose is 2.5mg and should be taken as early as possible after the onset of a migraine attack. If the migraine recurs after initial relief, a second dose may be taken provided there is an interval of at least two hours between doses. If there is no response to the first dose, a second dose should not be taken for the same attack. The total daily dose should not exceed 5mg. Major cautions and contra-indications: Frovatriptan is contraindicated in: patients with a history of myocardial infarction, ischaemic heart disease, coronary vasospasm, peripheral vascular disease; moderately severe or severe hypertension, uncontrolled mild hypertension; previous cerebrovascular accident or transient ischaemic attack; severe hepatic impairment. Concomitant use of frovatriptan with ergotamine, ergotamine derivatives or other 5-HT1 agonists is contraindicated. Use of frovatriptan with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or Hypericum perforatum is not recommended and with the following agents requires caution: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, methylergometrine, fluvoxamine and oral contraceptives. Use in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years, those over 65 years, during pregnancy or in women who are breastfeeding is not recommended. Side effects: The most common side effects (<10 per cent) include dizziness, fatigue, paraesthesia, headache and vascular flushing. Legal category: POM. Net price: 6 tablets £17.70. Contact details: A. Menarini UK, Menarini House, Park Lane, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire HP10 0HH. Tel 01628 856400, fax 01628 856402. See SPC for further details. Presentation: Solution for injection. Class: Human granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Indications: Reduction in the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes). Dosage: One 6mg dose is recommended for each chemotherapy cycle, administered as subcutaneous injection approximately 24 hours following cytotoxic chemotherapy. Major cautions and contra-indications: Pegfilgrastim should not be used in patients with acute leukaemia receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Pegfilgrastim should be discontinued in cases of preliminary signs of adult respiratory distress syndrome. Regular monitoring of platelet count and haematocrit is recommended. Caution should be exercised in patients with sickle cell disease. Pegfilgrastim should be administered 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy. Pegfilgrastim should not be used during pregnancy or women who are breast-feeding. Side effects: Very common undesirable effect (>10 per cent) is skeletal pain. Common (>1 per cent, <10 per cent) are injection site pain, chest pain (non-cardiac), pain, headache arthalgia, myalgia and back, limb, musculo-skeletal and neck pain. Legal category: POM. Net price: One syringe £768. Contact details: Amgen, 240 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WD. Tel 01223 420305, fax 01223 423049. See SPC for further details. Rapamune (sirolimus) 2mg tablets have been launched (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals); net price, 30 £180, 100 £600. Nicam (nicotinamide) 4 per cent gel been launched (Dermal Laboratories); net price, 60g £7.98. PLIVA Pharma has launched fluconazole capsules; net price, 50mg 7 £16.60, 150mg 1 £7.11, 200mg 7 £66.41. The 150mg strength is available in both prescription only medicine and pharmacy medicine packs. Fluconazole capsules have been launched in Alpharma livery; net price, 50mg 7 £16.61, 150mg 1 £7.12, 200mg 7 £66.42. |
SPC changesThe summary of product characteristics for Exelon (rivastigmine) capsules and oral solution has been updated (Novartis Pharmaceuticals). The following statement regarding dose titration has been added to the special warnings and precautions for use section: "Adverse effects (eg, hypertension, hallucinations) have been observed shortly after dose increase. They may respond to a dose reduction. In other cases, Exelon has been discontinued." The undesirable effects section has been rewritten and updated and frequency estimates for each undesirable effect have been added. Hypertension and hallucinations have been added to the overdose section as symptoms of overdose. See SPC. The summary of product characteristics for Nexium (esomeprazole) tablets has been updated (Astra-Zeneca). The posology and method of administration section now states that for patients who cannot swallow, the tablets can be dispersed in non-carbonated water and administered through a gastric tube. For preparation and administration instructions see SPC. |
Counter medicinesZantac (ranitidine) 75 Dissolve tablets are being launched (GlaxoSmithKline); retail price, 24 £7.89 (pharmacy medicine). Zantac 75 Relief Dissolve tablets are also being launched; retail price, 12 £4.29 (general sale list). |
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Composition: Pegfilgrastim 6mg
0.6ml.