PJ Online | Products (1/8 January 2005)

Carvedilol
Carvedilol tablets are now available from Genus Pharmaceuticals. Net price, 3.125mg 28 £7.95, 6.25mg 28 £8.95, 12.5mg 28 £9.95, 25mg 28 £11.95. Legal category:POM.

Isotretinoin capsules
Isotretinoin capsules are now available from Beacon Pharmaceuticals (via Distriphar). Net price, 5mg 56 £18, 20mg 56 £50. Legal category: POM.

Kivexa
Kivexa (abacavir 600mg and lamivudine 300mg) tablets are now available from GlaxoSmithKline. Net price, 30 £373.94. Legal category: POM.

Mitoxantrone infusion
Mitoxantrone concentrate solution for infusion 2mg/ml is now available from PLIVA Pharma. Net price, 10ml £150, 12.5ml £168.95. Legal category: POM.

Paroxetine tablets
Paroxetine tablets 20mg are now available from Genus Pharmaceuticals; net price, 30 £14.95.

Piroxicam gel
Piroxicam gel 0.5 per cent is now available from PLIVA Pharma; net price, 60g £5.75, 112g £8.50. Legal category: POM.

Suprax Paediatric
Suprax (cefixime) paediatric oral suspension 100mg/5ml 100ml is now available from Aventis; net price, £18.91. Legal category: POM. This replaces the 75ml bottle that has been discontinued. All back orders for the 75ml presentation have been cancelled.

SPC changes

Movicol Paediatric
The licensed indications for Movicol Paediatric Plain (Macrogol 3350 and electrolytes) now include the treatment of chronic constipation and the prevention of the recurrence of faecal impaction in children. The usual starting dose for these indications is one sachet daily for children aged two to six years and two sachets daily for children aged seven to 11 years. The SPC states that the dose should be adjusted up or down as required to produce regular soft stools and that the maximum dose needed does not normally exceed four sachets per day.

Discontinued products

Polytrim
Polytrim (trimethoprim and polymyxin B sulphate) eye drops have been discontinued (PLIVA Pharma). Polytrim eye ointment will be discontinued in June.

Zoton capsules
Zoton (lansoprazole) capsules 30mg x 14 will be discontinued when stocks are exhausted (Wyeth). The company expects this to be in February. Zoton capsules 15mg x 56, 30mg x 7 and 30mg x 56 are also being discontinued, and the company expects stocks to be exhausted by March. All other presentations of Zoton will remain available including Zoton capsules 15mg x 28 and 30mg x 28, Zoton suspension and Zoton FasTabs.

Supply issues

Penbritin
Following the announcement of the discontinuation of Penbritin (ampicillin) capsules and injection (PJ, 28 August 2004, p283), GlaxoSmithKline says that it is working towards the products’ divestment to another company and that in the meantime orders can continue to be placed through established channels.

Counter products

Aviral cream
Aviral (aciclovir) cream 5 per cent is now available from PLIVA Pharma; net price, 2g £5.03. Legal category: P.

Products miscellany

SMA Staydown
The replacement baby milk SMA Staydown has been approved for prescription reimbursement by the Advisory Committee for Borderline Substances for significant reflux disease.

Zimovane tablets
The appearance of Zimovane (zopiclone) tablets 3.75mg and 7.5mg has changed owing to a change in manufacturing site. The 3.75mg tablets (Zimovane LS), formerly blue, will now appear as white, round bi-convex film coated tablets. The 7.5mg tablets will now appear as white, elliptical bi-convex film coated tablets. In addition, the tablets now contain wheat starch.