Perfalgan Perfalgan (paracetamol 10mg/ml) solution for infusion will be available
in May (Bristol-Myers Squibb). It is indicated for the short-term treatment
of moderate pain, especially following surgery, and for short-term treatment
of fever, when administration by the intravenous route is clinically
justified by an urgent need to treat pain or hyperthermia and/or when
other routes of administration are not possible. Perfalgan should be
administered as a 15-minute intravenous infusion at intervals of at least
four hours. Dose for adults and adolescents weighing more than 50kg is
1g per administration, maximum 4g per day. Dose for adults and adolescents
weighing less than 50kg or children weighing more than 33kg is 15mg/kg
per administration, maximum 60mg/kg per day, not exceeding 4g per day.
See SPC. Net price, 12 x 100ml vials, £18. Legal category: POM
NutropinAq NutropinAq (somatropin
10mg/2ml solution for injection) is now available from Ipsen. It is licensed
for long-term treatment of children with growth failure due to inadequate
endogenous growth hormone secretion (dose 0.025–0.035mg/kg daily),
long-term treatment of growth failure associated with Turner syndrome
and treatment of pre-pubertal children with growth failure associated
with chronic renal insufficiency up to the time of renal transplantation
(dose up to 0.05mg/kg daily) and replacement of endogenous growth hormone
in adults with GH deficiency (initial dose 0.15–0.3mg daily). See
SPC. Net price, 1 cartridge, £231.80. Legal category: POM
Premique Low Dose
Premique Low Dose (0.3mg conjugated oestrogens and medroxyprogesterone
acetate 1.5mg) has been launched in packs of 28 x 3 tablets (Wyeth);
net price, £29.85. Legal category: POM
Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide
Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets are now available from APS/Berk;
net price 10/12.5mg 28 £13.01, 20/12.5mg 28 £14.72.
A branded generic, Caralpha (lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide) is also
available from Alpharma; net
price 10/12.5mg 28 £13.01, 20/12.5mg 28 £14.72.
Ramipril tablets
Ramipril tablets are now available from Niche Generics in packs of 28;
net price, 1.25mg £4.51, 2.5mg £6.38, 5mg £8.89,
10mg £12.10
Velosef
The summary of product characteristics for Velosef (cefradine) capsules
and syrup now states that the drug is contraindicated in patients suffering
from porphyria (Bristol-Myers Squibb).
It states that loop diuretics may increase nephrotoxicity of cephalosporins
and that probenecid has been seen to raise serum concentrations of cefradine
by reducing renal clearance of the cephalosporins. Cefradine may cause
dizziness so patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery
and driving. The undesirable effects section
has been updated to include headache, pruritus, fever and reversible
interstitial nephritis. See SPC.
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Perfalgan (paracetamol 10mg/ml) solution for infusion will be available
in May (Bristol-Myers Squibb). It is indicated for the short-term treatment
of moderate pain, especially following surgery, and for short-term treatment
of fever, when administration by the intravenous route is clinically
justified by an urgent need to treat pain or hyperthermia and/or when
other routes of administration are not possible. Perfalgan should be
administered as a 15-minute intravenous infusion at intervals of at least
four hours. Dose for adults and adolescents weighing more than 50kg is
1g per administration, maximum 4g per day. Dose for adults and adolescents
weighing less than 50kg or children weighing more than 33kg is 15mg/kg
per administration, maximum 60mg/kg per day, not exceeding 4g per day.
See SPC. Net price, 12 x 100ml vials, £18. Legal category: POM
NutropinAq (somatropin
10mg/2ml solution for injection) is now available from Ipsen. It is licensed
for long-term treatment of children with growth failure due to inadequate
endogenous growth hormone secretion (dose 0.025–0.035mg/kg daily),
long-term treatment of growth failure associated with Turner syndrome
and treatment of pre-pubertal children with growth failure associated
with chronic renal insufficiency up to the time of renal transplantation
(dose up to 0.05mg/kg daily) and replacement of endogenous growth hormone
in adults with GH deficiency (initial dose 0.15–0.3mg daily). See
SPC. Net price, 1 cartridge, £231.80. Legal category: POM