The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7258 p79
19 July 2003

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Products

Prescription Products
• Telfast Paediatric tablets
SPC changes
• Cafergot SPC update
• Biorphen SPC update
Discontinued products
• Palfium tablets
• Relaxit microenemas
Supply problems
• Ephynal tablets

Prescription Products

Telfast Paediatric tablets

Telfast Paediatric (fexofenadine hydrochloride) 30mg tablets have been launched (Aventis); net price 60 £5.55.

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SPC changes

Cafergot SPC update

The summaries of product characteristics for Cafergot (caffeine and ergotamine) suppositories and tablets have been updated (Alliance Pharmaceuticals). Their use in patients with temporal arteritis is now contraindicated. Serious and life-threatening ergotism has been associated with concomitant use of CYP 3A4 inhibitors and ergotamine derivatives. Cafergot should therefore not be taken by patients treated with potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors, including protease inhibitors and macrolide antibiotics. Use of 5-HT₁ receptor agonists should be avoided for at least 24 hours after the last ergotamine dose. Ergotamine should also not be administered within six hours of therapy with 5-HT₁ receptor agonists. The undesirable effects section has been updated (See SPC).

Biorphen SPC update

The summary of product characteristics for Biorphen liquid (orphenadrine) has been updated (Alliance Pharmaceuticals). It now advises caution in patients with pre-existing tachycardia and states that it should not be used in patients with tardive dyskinesia. A warning of the potential for development of severe constipation and ileus, atropine-like psychoses and heat stroke on concomitant administration of other medicines with antimuscarinic properties has been added. The updated SPC also notes that the absorption of other orally administered drugs may be affected by reduced gastric motility due to the anti-muscarinic effect of orphenadrine.

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Discontinued products

Palfium tablets

Palfium (dextromoramide) 5mg and 10mg tablets are being discontinued with immediate effect (Roche). Further details from drug information at Roche on 0800 328 1629.

Relaxit microenemas

Relaxit (sodium citrate) microenema packs of 4 x 5ml are being discontinued from 31 July (Crawford Pharmaceuticals). Packs of 12 and 100 remain available.

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Supply problems

Ephynal tablets

Roche says that a 100mg chewable formulation of Ephynal (tocopheryl acetate) is available on a named patient import basis from the business sales department at John Bell & Croyden, London (tel 020 7935 5555). This formulation will be launched by Roche in the United Kingdom in September.

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