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PJ Online homeThe Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7293 p415
3 April 2004

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Products

    Prescription Products SPC changes Discontinued products Counter medicines

Prescription Products

Kapake effervescent Kapake (paracetamol 500mg and codeine phosphate hemihydrate 30mg) effervescent tablets are now available from Galen; net price, 100 £8.90. Legal category: CD Inv POM

Gentamicin Paediatric
Gentamicin paediatric injection 10mg/ml is now available from Beacon Pharmaceuticals; net price, 5 x 2ml £9. Legal category: POM. Orders should be placed via Distriphar (tel 0870 5133347, fax 0870 5133329).

Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate tablets 600mg are now available from IVAX in packs of 100; net price £2.48. Legal category POM. They can be ordered through Dowelhurst (0800 7314040) or DE Pharmaceuticals (0800 0720626). IVAX says two batches of these tablets, CCV48A and CCV47A, have the incorrect EAN code, but stock with the correct EAN code will be available from May.

Mianserin tablets
Mianserin hydrochloride tablets 10mg are now available in packs of 28 (IVAX); net price, £2.70. Legal category: POM. Packs of 30mg x 28 will be available in May; net price £5.40.

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SPC changes

Videx
The summary of product characteristics for Videx (didanosine) now states that inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, such as allopurinol, may increase exposure to didanosine when administered together, increasing the potential for didanosine-associated undesirable effects (Bristol-Myers Squibb). Patients should be closely monitored for these effects. The undesirable effects section has been updated and pancreatitis and peripheral neuropathy are now listed as anticipated complications of overdose. See SPC.

Risperdal
The summaries of product characteristics for Risperdal (risperidone) and Risperdal Consta now state that Risperdal is not licensed for the treatment of behavioural symptoms of dementia and is not recommended for this use because of an increased risk of cerebrovascular adverse events (Janssen-Cilag). Data regarding the increased risk of cerebrovascular adverse events with Risperdal in elderly patients with dementia have been included. The SPCs now state that doctors should carefully consider the risk of such events before treating any patient with a previous history of cardiovasular accident or transient ischaemic attack, and consideration should be given to other risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. For all formulations apart from Risperdal Consta, the SPC states that treatment of acute psychoses in patients with a history of dementia be limited to short term only and should be under specialist advice. See SPC.

Cialis
The summary of product characteristics for Cialis (tadalafil) no longer states that the dose should be taken 24 hours before sexual activity, but states that the effect of tadalafil usually lasts for longer than one day (Lilly). Continuous daily use of the medicine is strongly discouraged. In clinical studies Cialis demonstrated significant improvement in the ability to have sexual intercourse up to 36 hours following dosing. The SPC now states that there are limited clinical data on the safety of Cialis in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency. If prescribed, an evaluation of the benefit versus the risk should be undertaken by the prescribing physician. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Vibramycin Acne Pack
Vibramycin (doxycycline) Acne Pack capsules 50mg x 56 have been discontinued (Pfizer). Other formulations of Vibramycin remain available. Further details from Pfizer customer services on 01304 645262.

Aromasin tablets
Aromasin (exemestane) tablets 25mg x 15 have been discontinued (Pfizer). Other pack sizes of Aromasin remain available. Further details from Pfizer customer services on 01304 645262.

Rohypnol tablets
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) tablets 1mg are being discontinued (Roche). The company expects stocks to be exhausted by the end of May.

Zispin tablets
Zispin (mirtazapine) tablets 30mg are being discontinued (Organon). The company expects stocks to be exhausted by 1 May. The Zispin SolTab range remains available.

Mianserin tablets
Mianserin tablets 20mg tablets have been discontinued (IVAX).

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Counter medicines

Dymotil tablets
Dymotil (diphenoxylate hydrochloride 2.5mg and atropine sulphate 0.025mg) tablets have been launched (Goldshield Pharmaceuticals). They are the over-the-counter version of Lomotil. Recommended retail price, 20 £2.82. Legal category: P

Zirtek Allergy
Zirtek Allergy (cetirizine hydrochloride) tablets 10mg are now available in packs of 21 (UCB Pharma); recommended retail price £8.95. Legal category: P

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