The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7268 p403
27 September 2003

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Products

Prescription Products
• InductOs
• Methadone solution
• Citalopram tablets
• Loperamide capsules
SPC changes
• Somatuline LA
• Fasturtec
Discontinued products
• Indocid
• Humalog 1.5ml cartridges
• Rotahaler devices
• Ervevax

Prescription Products

InductOs
Composition: Dibotermin alfa.
Presentation: Kit for implantation consisiting of 12mg dibotermin alfa powder for solution with the accompanying solvent (water for injections) for reconstitution of the powder and a matrix.
Class: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2.
Indications: The treatment of acute tibia fractures in adults, as an adjunct to standard care using open fracture reduction and intra-
medullary nail fixation.
Dosage: The volume of InductOs to be implanted is determined by the fracture anatomy. Maximum dosage of InductOs is two kits.
Major cautions: InductOs should only be used by an appropriately qualified surgeon.
Legal category: POM.
Net price: One kit £2,264.
Contact details: Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (tel 01628 604377).
See SPC for full details.

Methadone solution
Thornton & Ross has launched methadone 1mg/ml sugar free oral solution; net price, 500ml £6. Legal category: Controlled Drug.

Citalopram tablets
Niche Generics has launched citalopram tablets; net price, 10mg 28 £8.19, 20mg 28 £13.63, 40mg 28 £23.04.

Loperamide capsules
Almus Pharmaceuticals has laun-
ched loperamide capsules; net price, 2mg 30 £1.98.

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SPC changes

Somatuline LA
The summary of product characteristics for Somatuline LA (lanreotide) has been updated (Ipsen). It is now additionally indicated for treatment of thyrotrophic adenomas when the circulating level of thyroid stimulating hormone remains inappropriately high after surgery or radiotherapy. Treatment should only be initiated by physicians experienced in the management of thyroid tumours. One intramuscular injection should be given every 14 days, or every 10 days if there is insufficient response. The SPC now states that patients treated with Somatuline LA may experience hypoglycaemia or hyperglyceamia and treatment of diabetes patients should be adjusted accordingly. The undesirable effects and pharmacodynamic properties sections have also been updated. See SPC.

Fasturtec
The summary of product characteristics of Fasturtec (rasburicase) has been updated (Sanofi-Synthelabo). The special warnings and precautions for use section now states that Fasturtec should be immediately and permanently discontinued in patients who develop severe hypersensitivity reactions, methaemoglobinaemia, or haemolysis. It states that a strict sample handling procedure must be followed to ensure accurate measurement of uric acid plasma level during treatment. Both the 1.5mg and 7.5mg presentations now have a shelf life of three years, and the undesirable effects section has also been expanded. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Indocid
Indocid (indometacin) capsules 25mg and 50mg, Indocid-R capsules 75mg and Indocid suppositories 100mg are being discontinued by Merck Sharp & Dohme. MSD expects supplies to remain available until 2004.

Humalog 1.5ml cartridges
Humalog (insulin lispro) 1.5ml cartridges are being discontinued (Lilly). Other Humalog lines remain available. Patients using the 1.5ml cartridge will need to be reviewed and have their treatment adjusted accordingly.

Rotahaler devices
Rotahaler devices (for the Becotide, Ventolin and Ventide ranges) and all Rotacap and Ventide medicines have been discontinued (Allen & Hanbury’s). The company expects stocks to be exhausted during October.

Ervevax
Ervevax (single rubella vaccine) has been discontinued (GlaxoSmith-
Kline). The company expects stocks to be exhausted by the end of September.

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