The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7294 p443
10 April 2004

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Products

Prescription Products
• Carvedilol tablets
SPC changes
• Provigil indications
Supply issues
• Magnesium trisilicate
• Measles mumps and rubella single vaccines
Products miscellany
• Cyclogest
• Epanutin packaging

Recall Rabies vaccine

Prescription Products

Carvedilol tablets
Carvedilol tablets are now available from Niche Generics in packs of 28; net price, 3.125mg £6.92, 6.25mg £7.68, 12.5mg £8.54, 25mg £10.68.

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SPC changes

Provigil indications
Provigil (modafinil) is now indicated for the treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with chronic pathological conditions, including narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome and moderate to severe chronic shift work sleep disorder (Cephalon).For moderate to severe chronic shift work sleep disorder the recommended daily dose is 200mg taken as a single dose approximately one hour before the start of the shift. Patients should be advised that Provigil is not a replacement for sleep and good sleep hygiene should be maintained. The SPC now also states that Provigil tablets contain lactose. See SPC.

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Supply issues

Magnesium trisilicate
Rusco says that compound magnesium trisilicate powder BP 100g and 200g packs are now back in stock and can be ordered through main line wholesalers or from Rusco (tel 01582 560393, fax 01582 560395).

Measles mumps and rubella single vaccines
IDIS has clarified the reason for ceasing supply of measles mumps and rubella single vaccines (PJ, 27 March p379): “There is currently a worldwide shortage of single component vaccines for mumps, measles and rubella, with no UK supplier able to obtain mumps vaccine. As a result IDIS took the ethical decision to no longer supply, or take orders for any of these vaccines. IDIS knew that the continuous uncertainty regarding supply was unsatisfactory for customers and was raising patient hopes that a full course of treatment could be provided. This action was taken with the full understanding of the MHRA.”

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Products miscellany

Cyclogest
Responsibility for Cyclogest (progesterone) pessaries has been transferred from Shire Pharmaceuticals to Alpharma (tel 0800 373 573), and the product has been relaunched in new packaging. The price of the product is unaffected.

Epanutin packaging
Epanutin (phenytoin sodium) capsules 300mg x 28, currently packaged under Parke-Davis livery will change to Pfizer livery during April, once existing stocks have been exhausted. Prices and order multiples remain the same. Further details from Pfizer customer services on 01304 645262.

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