The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7366 p305
10 September 2005

This article
Reprint   Photocopy

PDF 80K, Acrobat Reader

Products

Prescription Products
• Fosavance
SPC changes
• Arixtra
Discontinued products
• Pancreolauryl Test Capsules
Supply issues
• True Track
Products miscellany
• Trileptal

Prescription Products

Fosavance
Fosavance tablets (alendronic acid 70mg and colecalciferol 70µg) are now available from Merck Sharp & Dohme. They are licensed for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in patients at risk of vitamin D insufficiency at a recommended dose of one tablet once weekly. Net price, 4 £22.80. Legal category: POM.

Back to Top

SPC changes

Arixtra
Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium; GlaxoSmithKline) prefilled syringes 2.5mg is now additionally indicated for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in patients undergoing abdominal surgery who are judged to be at high risk of thromboembolic complications. The recommended dose of Arixtra is 2.5mg once daily administered post-operatively by subcutaneous injection. The initial dose should be given six hours following surgical closure provided that haemostasis has been established. See SPC.

Back to Top

Discontinued products

Pancreolauryl Test Capsules
Pfizer will be discontinuing Pancreolauryl Test Capsules from November. Alternative tests that remain available in the UK are Pancreatic Elastase-1 stool test (ScheBo; Biotech UK) and Pancreatic Elastase ELISA (Diagenics).

Back to Top

Supply issues

True Track
ADL Diagnostic Solutions is taking over the distribution of True Track Blood Glucose Monitoring System meters and test strips from 1 November. Further information call 01283 494300.

Back to Top

Products miscellany

Trileptal
Trileptal (oxcarbazepine; Novartis) tablets have changed colour. Trileptal 150mg tablets are now pale green, 300mg tablets remain yellow and 600mg tablets are now light pink.

Back to Top