The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7332 p46-47
15 January 2005

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Products

Prescription Products
• Clarithromycin
• Estradot
• Glucophage SR
• Moxonidine tablets
• Infukoll
• Nebido
SPC changes
• Advate
• Aromasin
• CoAprovel
• Crestor
• Elidel
• Famvir
• Sustiva
• Viread
• Zyvox
Discontinued products
• Amoxil injection 250mg
• Enlive
• Syscor MR
Supply issues
• Fucithalmic
Products miscellany
• Colestyramine
• Dr Falk products
• Felotens XL
• Granocyte
• Hexopal
• Integrilin
• Norprolac
• LPC Medical
• Superfoss pots

Prescription Products

Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin is now available from Sandoz. Net price, 250mg 14 £11.75, 500mg 14 £23.55. Legal category: POM.

Estradot
Estradot (estradiol) 24hr patches are now available from Novartis; net price: 25µg £5.20, 37.5µg £5.21, 50µg £5.22, 75µg £6.08, 100µg £6.31.Legal category: POM.

Glucophage SR
Glucophage (metformin hydrochloride) SR tablets 500mg are now available from Merck; net price, 28 £2.67, 56 £5.34. Legal category: POM.

Moxonidine tablets
Moxonidine tablets are now available from PLIVA Pharma. Net price, 200µg 28 £10.44, 300µg 28 £12.35, 400µg 28 £14.25. Legal category: POM.

Infukoll
Infukoll 6 per cent (hydroxyethyl starch) is now available from Beacon Pharmaceuticals; net price, 500ml £10. Legal category: POM.

Nebido
Nebido (testosterone undecanote) solution for injection 1,000mg/4ml is now available from Schering Health Care; net price, one ampoule £76.70. Legal category: POM.

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SPC changes

Advate
The summary of product characteristics for Advate (dried factor VIII fraction) has been updated. Advate is now indicated for use in children with haemophilia A under the age of six years (Baxter). See SPC.

Aromasin
The summary of product characteristics for Aromasin (exemestane) has been amended (Pfizer) following a change to the composition of the tablets. Warnings have been added that Aromasin tablets contain sucrose and methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate. Somnolence and asthenia are now included as uncommonly reported adverse events. See SPC.

CoAprovel
The summary of product characteristics for CoAprovel (irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide) has been updated to include information concerning administration of 300/25mg dose combination, metabolism of irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide side effects (Bristol-Myers Squibb). The SPC now states that CoAprovel 300/25mg may be administered in patients insufficiently controlled by CoAprovel 300/12.5 mg. See SPC.

Crestor
The summary of product characteristics for Crestor (rosuvastatin) now includes the statement “Increased systemic exposure has been seen in Asian subjects. This should be considered when making dose decisions for patients of Asian ancestry. The 40mg dose is contraindicated in these patients” (AstraZeneca).

Elidel
The summary of product characteristics for Elidel (pimecrolimus) has been amended (Novartis). The product’s shelf life is now 12 months. See SPC.

Famvir
The summary of product characteristics for Famvir (famciclovir) now includes the additional undesirable effects of somnolence, jaundice, pruritis and urticaria (Novartis). See SPC.

Sustiva
The summary of product characteristics for Sustiva (efavirenz) hard capsules, oral solution and 600mg tablets now includes additional information concerning interaction with indinavir/ritonavir combination and the effect of Sustiva on serum amylase levels (Bristol-Myers Squibb). See SPC.

Viread
The summary of product characteristics for Viread (tenofovir disoproxil) now states that monitoring of renal function is recommended every four weeks during the first year of treatment with Viread and then every three months. Lactic acidosis and pancreatitis have been added as rare undesirable effects (Gilead). See SPC.

Zyvox
The summary of product characteristics for Zyvox (linezolid) now includes reports of a patient experiencing serotonin syndrome-like effects while taking linezolid and dextromethorphan, of serotonin syndrome in patients taking concurrent serotonin reuptake inhibitors and of bullous skin disorders (Pfizer). See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Amoxil injection 250mg
Amoxil (amoxicillin) injection 250mg vials are being discontinued (GlaxoSmithKline). Based on current usage GlaxoSmithKline expects that supplies will be available until April. Amoxil injection 500mg and 1g vials continue to be available.

Enlive
Enlive nutritional supplement has been discontinued (Abbott). Enlive Plus will continue to be available.

Syscor MR
Syscor MR (nisoldipine) 20mg and 30mg tablets are being discontinued (Forest
Laboratories). Syscor 10mg tablets will continue to be available.

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Supply issues

Fucithalmic
Fucithalmic (fusidic acid) cannot be supplied at present (LEO Pharma). The company expects that stocks will be available again in late January. Contact 01844 347333.

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Products miscellany

Colestyramine
Colestyramine 4g powder for oral suspension is now also available in packs of 50; net price, £18.42. Legal category: POM.

Dr Falk products
From 1 January 2005, the Dr Falk range of products currently distributed by Provalis (Budenofalk, Salofalk and Ursofalk) will be marketed by Dr Falk Pharma UK Ltd. From this date, orders should be placed with UniDrug Distribution Group on 01773 510123. Orders for all other Provalis products should continue to be placed in the usual way. Further details are available on 01628 536600.

Felotens XL
Felotens (felodipine) XL tablets now come in packs of 28 instead of 30; net price, 5mg £4.75, 10mg £5.20 (Genus Pharmaceuticals).

Granocyte
Distribution of Granocyte 34 and Granocyte 13 (lenograstim) prefilled syringes, formerly with Aventis, has been assumed by Farillon. Orders should be placed on 01708 330200 (fax 01708 376554).

Hexopal
Hexopal (inositol nicotinate) tablets are now distributed by Clonmel Healthcare, represented in the UK by Genus Pharmaceuticals. Enquiries should be directed to customer services on 01635 568400. Calls for medical information should be directed to sanofi aventis (on 01483 505515) until completion of the marketing authorisation transfer (expected late March 2005).

Integrilin
The marketing authorisation rights for Integrilin (eptifibatide) have transferred from Schering-Plough to GlaxoSmithKline. Orders should be placed on 01270 508030.

Norprolac
Norprolac (quinagolide) is now distributed by Ferring Pharmaceuticals and stock orders should be placed on 01753 214860. Until the transfer of ownership of marketing authorisation takes place, medical information queries should continue to be directed to Novartis Pharmaceuticals on 01276 698370.

LPC Medical
LPC Medical (UK) has acquired all the product licences that belonged to Eastern Pharmaceuticals and Richmond Pharmaceuticals. Any enquiries can be e-mailed to info@lpcpharma.com

Superfoss pots
A number of Alpharma products will now be provided in Superfoss pots, with a lid that is pushed down and turned to open. The products to be produced in this packaging are: aspirin, co-codamol, co-codaprin dispersible, co-dydramol, dispersible aspirin, ihydrocodeine, ferrous sulphate, metronidazole and paracetamol.

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