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PJ Online homeThe Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7392 p317
18 March 2006

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Products

    Prescription Products SPC changes Discontinued products Supply issues Counter products Products miscellany

Recall
Opsite Post-Op dressings
Blood glucose meters
Seven Seas food supplements


Prescription Products

Stronazon
Stronazon (tamsulosin hydrochloride) MR capsules 400µg are now available from Alpharma. Net price, 30 £9.82. Legal category: POM.

Vistabel
Vistabel (botulinum toxin type A) is now available from Allergan for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (vertical frown lines between the brows) in adult women and men under 65 years old. Net price, 1 vial £85. Legal category: POM.

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SPC changes

Epilim
The summaries of product characteristics for Epilim, Epilim Intravenous and Epilim Chrono (sodium valproate; sanofi-aventis) have been updated. They now state that Epilim should only be discontinued under the supervision of a specialist in a gradual manner. They also state that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has advised that generic switching of valproate preparations is not normally recommended. Very rare cases of hyponatraemia and enuresis have been added to the undesirable effects sections. See SPCs.

Naprosyn
The summaries of product characteristics for Naprosyn and Naprosyn EC (naproxen; Roche) tablets have been updated to include history of peptic ulceration as a contraindication. They also say that the use of naproxen may impair fertility and is not recommended in women attempting to conceive. The interactions sections now state that co-administration with warfarin or heparin is not considered safe unless under direct medical supervision. The adverse events sections have also been updated. See SPCs.

Seroxat
The summary of product characteristics for Seroxat (paroxetine; GlaxoSmithKline) has been updated. It now states that paroxetine should only be used during pregnancy when strictly indicated. It says that prescribers need to weigh the option of alternative treatments in women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Abrupt discontinuation during pregnancy should be avoided and the SPC advises that a taper phase regimen of decreasing the daily dose by 10mg at weekly intervals has been used in clinical trials. It recommends that neonates should be observed if maternal use of paroxetine continues into the later stages of pregnancy, particularly the third trimester. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Rheumox
Rheumox (azapropazone) capsules 300mg and 600mg have been discontinued by Goldshield. Rheumox 300mg capsules will be available until stocks are exhausted..

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Supply issues

Lederfen tablets
Lederfen (fenbufen; Goldshield) tablets 300mg and 450mg will be unavailable until September. Lederfen capsules 300mg continue to be available. Further information is available on 020 8410 2592.

Prempak-C
Wyeth is experiencing short-term supply problems with Prempak-C 0.625 and 1.25 (conjugated estrogens/norgestrel) tablets. Medical enquiries on 01628 415330, supply enquiries on 0845 330 0509.

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Counter products

Solpadeine
Solpadeine Migraine Ibuprofen and Codeine Tablets (ibuprofen 200mg and codeine 12.8mg) are now available from GlaxoSmithKline. Recommended retail price, 24 £4.99. Legal category: P.

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Products miscellany

Zenapax
The shelf life of Zenapax (daclizumab; Roche) 5mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion has been extended from two to three years.

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