The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7250 p715
24 May 2003

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Products

Prescription Products
• Doxazosin
• Amphotericin B
SPC changes
• Sinemet preparations
• Endoxana
Discontinued products
• Mintec capsules
• Multibionta infusion
• GSK inhaler hospital packs
• Dutonin tablets

Prescription Products

Doxazosin

Doxazosin tablets in calendar packs have been launched by Alpharma; net price, 1mg 28 £8.98, 2mg 28 £11.97, 4mg 28 £14.08.

Amphotericin B

There are supply problems for Fungizone Intravenous (amphotericin B, Bristol-Myers Squibb) because of a worldwide delay in obtaining bulk amphotericin. Current stocks of Fungizone Intravenous are low. The next supplies are expected in mid to late June with additional supplies in July. Questions can be directed to the Bristol-Myers Squibb customer services team on 01244 586250. Further information on Fungizone Intravenous is available from the Bristol-Myers Squibb medical information department on 0800 7311736. Supplies of Gilead Science's liposomal amphotericin B product AmBisome are unaffected.

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SPC changes

Sinemet preparations

The summaries of product characteristics for Sinemet (carbidopa with levodopa), Sinemet CR tablets and Half Sinemet CR tablets have been revised. The special warnings and precautions for use section now states that levodopa has been associated with somnolence and episodes of sudden sleep onset. Sudden onset of sleep during daily activities, in some cases without awareness of warning signs, has been reported very rarely. It adds that patients must be informed of this and advised to exercise caution while driving or operating machines during treatment. Patients who have experienced somnolence or an episode of sudden sleep onset must refrain from driving or operating machines. A reduction of dosage or termination of therapy may be considered. The effects on ability to drive and use machines and undesirable effects sections have been updated to reflect this information. See SPC.

Endoxana

Baxter has removed sodium chloride from its Endoxana (cyclophosphamide) injection. The new formulation must be reconstituted using sodium chloride 0.9 per cent injection.

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Discontinued products

Mintec capsules

The 12-capsule pack size of Mintec capsules (peppermint oil) 0.2ml has been discontinued. Pack sizes of 25 and 84 are still available (Shire Pharmaceuticals).

Multibionta infusion

Merck Pharmaceuticals is discontinuing Multibionta infusion. Existing stocks are expected to run out at the beginning of June.

GSK inhaler hospital packs

GlaxoSmithKline has discontinued the hospital pack (60-dose) sizes of Flixotide (fluticasone) Evohalers 125µg and 250µg and Serevent (salmeterol) inhalers 25µg. Stocks are expected to be exhausted by the end of May. The products are still available in 120-dose packs.

Dutonin tablets

Bristol-Myers Squibb will cease selling Dutonin (nefazodone hydrochloride) tablets from 1 June. Existing stocks may still be available through wholesalers for a number of weeks after this.

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