New medicines
Prexige
Composition: Lumiracoxib.
Presentation: Film-coated tablet.
Class: Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor
Indications: Symptomatic relief in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Short-term
relief of moderate to severe acute pain associated with primary dysmenorrhoea,
dental surgery and orthopaedic surgery.
Dosage: For the treatment of osteoarthritis: 100 mg once daily. Relief
of pain due to primary dysmenorrhoea: 200mg once daily; the maximum treatment
duration should not exceed three days per menstrual cycle. Acute pain:
400mg once daily. For all pain indications the treatment duration should
not exceed five days. Patients’ need for symptomatic relief and
response to therapy should be re-evaluated periodically, especially in
patients with osteoarthritis.
Precautions: Caution is advised with treatment of patients most at risk
of developing a gastrointestinal complication with non-steroid anti-inflammatory
drugs. Under conditions of compromised renal perfusion, administration
of lumiracoxib may impair renal function. Monitoring of renal function
in such patients should be considered. Caution should be used when initiating
treatment in patients with dehydration. It is advisable to rehydrate
patients before starting therapy with lumiracoxib. Lumiracoxib should
be used with caution in patients with history of cardiac failure, left
ventricular dysfunction, hypertension or pre-existing oedema. Any patient
with symptoms or signs suggesting liver dysfunction should be monitored.
Patients with significant risk factors for cardiovascular factors should
only be treated with lumiracoxib after careful consideration.
Side effects: Common (>1/100, <1/10): influenza-like symptoms,
respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, dizziness, headache,
cough, pharyngitis, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia,
nausea, vomiting, flatulence, fatigue and oedema.
Legal category: POM.
Net price: 100mg x 30 £17.24, 400mg x 5 £3.46.
Contact details: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Frimley Business Park, Frimley,
Camberley, Surrey GU16 7SR. Telephone 01276 692255.
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Hedrin (dimeticone) for the treatment of headlice is now available from
Thornton & Ross. Recommended retail price, 50ml £4.99, 150ml, £11.49.
Legal category: P.