The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7286 p181
14 February 2004

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Products

Prescription Products
• Zavesca
• Pergolide tablets
• Vascalpha tablets
• Co-amoxiclav
• Trimethoprim tablets
SPC changes
• Sustiva
• Enbrel new indication
• ViraferonPeg
Counter medicines
• Liquivisc
• Permethrin cream

Prescription Products

Zavesca
Composition: 100mg miglustat.
Presentation: Hard capsules.
Action: Glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor.
Indications: Treatment of mild to moderate type 1 Gaucher disease. May only be used in the treatment of patients for whom enzyme replacement therapy is unsuitable.
Dosage: Recommended starting dose 100mg three times a day.
Major cautions: Therapy should be directed by physicians who are knowledgeable in the management of Gaucher disease. See SPC.
Side effects: Weight loss, tremor, dizziness, leg cramps, visual disturbance, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation.
Legal category: POM. Zavesca is a “hospital only” product and its distribution is restricted to an approved list of UK hospitals.
Net price: 84 £4,480.
Contact details: Actelion Pharmaceuticals (tel 020 8987 3333).

Pergolide tablets
Pergolide tablets are now available from APS/Berk; net price, 250µg 100 £46.47, 1mg 100 £167.75, and from Ivax Pharmaceuticals; net price, 50µg 100 £29.20, 250µg 100 £44.03, 1mg 100 £158.92.

Vascalpha tablets
Vascalpha (felodipine) prolonged-release tablets are now available from Alpharma; net price, 5mg 28 £9.82, 10mg 28 £12.04.

Co-amoxiclav
The following co-amoxiclav (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) presentations are now available from Sandoz; 500/125mg tablets, net price 21 £15.70; 125/31.25mg per 5ml oral suspension 100ml £4.55; 250/62.5mg per 5ml oral suspension 100ml £6.40.

Trimethoprim tablets
Trimethoprim tablets are now available from Sandoz; net price, 100mg 28 67p, 200mg 14 67p.

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SPC changes

Sustiva
The summaries of product characteristics for Sustiva (efavirenz) hard capsules, oral solution and 600mg tablets now state that combination antiretroviral therapy has been associated with metabolic abnormalities and lipodystrophy in HIV-infected patients (Bristol-Myers Squibb). They now state that patients should be evaluated for physical signs of fat redistribution, and that measurement of fasting serum lipids and blood glucose should be considered. The shelf-life of Sustiva hard capsules and oral solution has increased to three years. See SPC.

Enbrel new indication
Enbrel (etanercept) is now additionally indicated for the treatment of adults with severe active ankylosing spondylitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy (Wyeth). See SPC.

ViraferonPeg
The summary of product characteristics for ViraferonPeg (peginterferon alfa-2b) powder and solution for injection, and pre-filled pen has been revised (Schering-Plough). Dosing has been expanded, and it now states that patients who fail to achieve virological response at week 12 are highly unlikely to become sustained virological responders. Dose adjustments by volume have been tabulated for different doses of monotherapy and combination therapy. The SPC states that caution should be used when adding ViraferonPeg and ribavirin to highly active antiretroviral therapy. See SPC.

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Counter medicines

Liquivisc
Composition: Carbomer gel 947P 0.25 per cent.
Presentation: Eye gel.
Class: Tear substitute.
Indications: Symptomatic treatment of dry eye syndrome.
Dosage: One drop one to four times daily.
Precautions: Contact lenses should not be worn while using Liquivisc.
Legal category: Pharmacy medicine.
Net price: 10g £3.96.
Contact details: Allergan (tel 01494 444 722).

Permethrin cream
Permethrin cream 5 per cent w/w is now available from Sandoz; recommended retail price 30g £4.50. Legal category: pharmacy medicine.

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