The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7285 p151
7 February 2004

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Products

Prescription Products
• Emend
• Decapeptyl SR
• Simvastatin
• Ursofalk capsules
• Zispin SolTab
• Ramipril tablets
SPC changes
• Efexor/Efexor XL
Discontinued products
• Aerocrom
• 3M products

Prescription Products

Emend
Composition: Aprepitant 80mg or 125mg.
Presentation: Hard capsules.
Action: Anti-emetic.
Indications: Prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cisplatin-based cancer chemotherapy.
Dosage: Given for three days as part of a regimen that includes a corticosteroid and a 5-HT₃ antagonist. Recommended dose is 125mg orally on day one, and 80mg once daily on days two and three.
Major cautions: Must not be administered concurrently with pimozide, terfenadine, astemizole or cisapride. Use with caution in patients with hepatic insufficiency, and in patients receiving concomitant medicinal products metabolised primarily through CYP3A4. Not recommended for patients under 18 years of age. Should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. See SPC.
Side effects: Common (>1/100, <1/10) anorexia, headache, hiccups, constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, asthaenia/fatigue, increased liver enzymes.
Legal category: POM.
Net price: Three-day pack (125mg x 1, 80mg x 2) £47.42, 125mg x 5 £79.03, 80mg x 2 £31.61.
Contact details: Merck Sharp & Dohme, Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 9BU.

Decapeptyl SR
Decapeptyl (triptorelin) SR 11.25mg has been launched (Ipsen). It is licensed for treatment of advanced prostate cancer. One intramuscular injection should be administered every three months. Net price, one pack (powder for suspension, suspension vehicle, syringe and two needles) £315.15. Legal category: POM.

Simvastatin
Simvastatin tablets are now available from Almus Pharmaceuticals, via OTC Direct and UniChem; net price, 10mg 28 £11.99, 20mg 28 £16, 40mg 28 £21, 80mg 28 £28.77.

Ursofalk capsules
Ursofalk (ursodeoxycholic acid) capsules 250mg are now available in packs of 100; net price, £54.92 (Provalis).

Zispin SolTab
Zispin (mirtazapine) SolTab orodispersible tablets (Organon Laboratories) are now also available in 15mg and 45mg presentations; net price, 15mg 6 £4.13, 15mg 30 £20.63, 45mg 30 £20.63.

Ramipril tablets
Ramipril tablets are now available from Sovereign Medical; net price, 1.25mg 28 £4.24, 2.5mg 28 £6.01, 5mg 28 £8.37, 10mg 28 £11.39.

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SPC changes

Efexor/Efexor XL
The summaries of product characteristics for Efexor and Efexor XL (venlafaxine) now state that they should not be used in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years with major depressive disorder (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals). Measurement of serum cholesterol levels should be considered during long-term treatment. Efexor/Efexor XL are not indicated for weight loss alone or in combination with other products. They should also be used with caution in patients already receiving neuroleptics. They should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary, and discontinuation effects in the newborn should be considered. Rare side effects and adverse events from paediatric clinical trials have been added. The SPC notes that the half-life of venlafaxine is increased in patients with renal and hepatic impairment. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Aerocrom
Aerocrom Inhaler and Aerocrom Syncroner (sodium cromoglicate 1mg, salbutamol sulphate 100µg) are being discontinued when stocks are exhausted (Distriphar). Any outstanding orders will then be cancelled. Details from Distriphar customer services on 0870 513 3347.

3M products
The following 3M Health Care products are being discontinued from the dates shown: Intralgin gel (salicylamide and benzocaine) (31 March), Nuelin (theophylline) 125mg tablets (31 March), Acupan (nefopam hydochloride) injection 5 x 2ml ampoules (31 May), Alu-Cap (aluminium hydroxide) capsules (31 May), Titralac (calcium carbonate) tablets (30 June), Nuelin (theophylline) liquid 300ml (31 December). Queries from wholesalers regarding stock availability should be directed to Keith Stacey on 01509 613082 (e-mail kstacey1@mmm.com). Health care professionals can contact 3M Health Care medical information on 01509 613265.

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