The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7248 p645
10 May 2003

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Reprint
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Products

Prescription Products
• Simvastatin tablets
• Evra transdermal patches
Discontinued products
• Cogentin tablets
Counter medicines
• Senokot suppositories

Prescription Products

Simvastatin tablets

Simvastatin tablets have been launched by:

• APS/Berk; net price, 10mg 28 £17.13, 20mg 28 £28.21, 40mg 28 £28.21.

• Niche Generics Ltd; net price, 10mg 28 £15.33, 20mg 28 £25.24, 40mg 28 £25.24.

• IVAX Pharmaceuticals; net price, 10mg 28 £18.03, 20mg 28 £29.69, 40mg 28 £29.69.

• Alpharma; net price, 10mg 28 £18.03, 20mg 28 £29.69, 40mg 28 £29.69.

Evra transdermal patches

Composition: Norelgestromin 6mg and ethinyl estradiol 600µg.

Presentation: Matrix type transdermal patch.

Class: Combined contraceptive.

Dosage: Starting Evra: One patch is applied on the first day of menses and worn for seven days. On day eight the patch is removed and immediately replaced with a new patch. This is repeated on day 15 of the cycle. Patch changes can occur at any time on the scheduled change day. The fourth week starting on day 22 is patch free. A new cycle begins on the next day following the patch-free week. The next Evra patch should be applied even if there has been no bleeding or if bleeding has not yet stopped. Patients must use Evra exactly as directed to achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness. See SPC for details of starting Evra when switching from other contraceptive methods and after pregnancy termination, miscarriage, or following childbirth.

Major cautions and precautions/contraindications: As for oral combined contraceptives.

Side effects: The most common adverse effects (>10 per cent) include breast symptoms, headache, application site reactions, and nausea. Other side effects (Ž1 per cent to <10 per cent) include dizziness, migraine, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, flatulence, dyspepsia, weight increase, myalgia, breast fibroadenosis, positive cervical smear test, emotional lability, depression.

Legal category: POM

Net price: 9 patch pack £23.23.

Contact details: Janssen-Cilag, Saunderton, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP14 4HJ.

See SPC for further details.

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Discontinued products

Cogentin tablets

Cogentin (benzatropine mesilate) 2mg tablets have been removed from Merck Sharp & Dohme's UK product range.

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Counter medicines

Senokot suppositories

Senokot Direct Relief suppositories (4g glycerol) have been launched by Reckitt Benckiser for constipation. Pack of six, recommended retail price £2.99. Legal category: GSL

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