Disodium pamidronate
Disodium pamidronate concentrate solution 3mg/ml is now available from
Medac. Net price, 15mg £27.50, 30mg £55, 60mg £110,
90mg £165. Legal category: POM.
Taxol
Taxol (paclitaxel) 6mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion is now
available as a 25ml vial (150mg paclitaxel) (Bristol-Myers Squibb).
Net price, 1 vial £561. Legal category: POM
Zaponex Zaponex (clozapine) tablets are now available from IVAX. Net price, 84
tablets 25mg £36.97, 100mg £147.84. Legal category: POM.
A patient monitoring system (Zaponex Treatment Access System) has been
developed for the product. Details on 08705 020 304.
Mirena
Mirena intrauterine system (levonorgestrel) is now additionally indicated
for protection from endometrial hyperplasia during oestrogen replacement
therapy (Schering Health Care). When being used for this indication Mirena
can be inserted at any time in an amenorrhoeic woman, or during the last
days of menstruation or withdrawal bleeding. Endometrial pathology should
be excluded before insertion. In this indication the system should be
removed after four years since clinical data beyond this time are limited.
Mirena can be used in combination with oral or transdermal oestrogen
preparations without progestogens. The summary of product characteristics
states that the efficacy of Mirena for this indication is the same as
when oestrogen is administered orally or transdermally. The undesirable
effects section has also been updated. See SPC.
Vfend
The summary of product characteristics for Vfend (voriconazole) now states
that coadministration of efavirenz is contraindicated because efavirenz
significantly decreases voriconazole plasma concentrations and voriconazole
also significantly increases efavirenz plasma concentrations (Pfizer).
Ventricular tachycardia has been added as a rare cardiovascular undesirable
effect. The shelf life of the unreconstituted powder for solution for
infusion has been extended to three years. See SPC.
Hypovase Starter Pack
Hypovase (prazosin) B.D. Starter Packs (8x500µg tablets and 32x1mg
tablets) are being discontinued from 1 February 2005 (Pfizer). Packs
of 56 Hypovase tablets 500µg, 1mg and 2mg remain available.
Mefoxin
Mefoxin (cefoxitin sodium) injection is being discontinued (Merck Sharp & Dohme).
The company says supplies should remain available at least until the
end of the year. Further details on 01992 467272.
Numark Aciclovir cream
Numark Aciclovir Cold Sore Cream (aciclovir 5 per cent) is now available
to Numark members. Recommended retail price, 2g £4.49. Legal category:
P
Clearsore Aciclovir Cream
Clearsore Aciclovir Cream (aciclovir 5 per cent) is now available from
Vantage Pharmacy. Recommended retail price, 2g £2.99. Legal category:
P
Amdipharm products
From 1 January 2005 Amdipharm will take over the licence ownership of
the following products (formerly Novartis):
Anturan (sulphinpyrazone);
Slow-Trasicor (oxprenolol); Trasicor (oxprenolol);
Viskaldix (pindolol and clopamide) and Visken (pindolol). From this date
medical information enquiries about these products should be directed
to Amdipharm on 0870 777 7675 (fax 0870 777 7875). Stock orders should
also be made via Amdipharm.
Amias
Takeda will have sole responsibility for the marketing and distribution
of Amias (candesartan cilexetil) from 1 January 2005. Any enquiries
about the product should be directed to Takeda on 01628 537900 (fax
01628 526615).
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Zaponex (clozapine) tablets are now available from IVAX. Net price, 84
tablets 25mg £36.97, 100mg £147.84. Legal category: POM.
A patient monitoring system (Zaponex Treatment Access System) has been
developed for the product. Details on 08705 020 304.