SPC changes
Risperdal
Risperdal (risperidone) is now additionally licensed for the treatment
of mania in bipolar disorder (Janssen-Cilag). The summary of product
characteristics states that for this indication in adults risperidone
should be administered on a once daily schedule, starting with 2mg. Dosage
adjustments, if indicated, should occur at intervals of not less than
24 hours and in dosage increments of 1mg per day. A dosing range between
1mg and 6mg per day is recommended. The continued use of risperidone
must be evaluated and justified on an ongoing basis. For elderly patients
and patients with renal or liver disease a starting dose of 0.5mg twice
daily is recommended, and can be adjusted with 0.5mg increments to 1mg
or 2mg twice daily. The SPC states that risperidone should be used with
caution in patients with renal or liver disease, and it is not recommended
to co-administer risperidone with carbamazapine in bipolar patients until
further experience is gained. See SPC.
Neurontin
The summary of product characteristics for Neurontin (gabapentin) has
been updated (Parke-Davis). It now states that when being used to treat
neuropathic pain, any dose reduction, discontinuation or substitution
with an alternative medicine should be done gradually over a minimum
of one week. Adverse events following abrupt discontinuation of gabapentin
include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain and sweating. Additional post-marketing
adverse events are now listed. See SPC.
Yasmin shelf life
The shelf life for Yasmin (drospirenone and ethinylestradiol) has been
increased to three years (Schering Health Care).
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