New medicines / SPC changes / Prescription products / Counter products / Products miscellany / Discontinued products / Supply issues

Composition: Live attenuated human rotavirus RIX4414 strain.

Presentation: Powder and solvent for oral suspension.

Class: Viral vaccine.

Indications: Active immunisation of infants from six weeks of age against gastroenteritis due to rotavirus infection.

Dosage: Two 1ml oral doses, the first of which can be administered from six weeks of age. There should be a minimum interval of four weeks between doses and the course should be complete by 24 weeks of age.

Precautions: Gastrointestinal illness, growth retardation and individuals with immunodeficient close contacts.

Contraindications: Previous history of intussusception or congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract that would predispose to intussusception. Known or suspected immunodeficiency. Vaccination should be postponed for infants with acute severe febrile illness, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Side effects: Very common (>=1/10) irritability, loss of appetite. Common (>=1/100, <1/10) diarrhoea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain, regurgitation of food, fever, fatigue.

Legal category: POM.

Net price: One dose £41.38.

Contact details: GlaxoSmithKline, Stockley Park West, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1BT. Telephone 0800 221 441.

Prescription Products

Sumatriptan
Sumatriptan tablets are now available from Alpharma. Net price, 6 x 50mg £21.54, 6 x 100mg £34.82. Legal category: POM.

Cipralex
Cipralex (escitalopram) oral drops, solution 10mg/ml will be available from Lundbeck from 30 May. Net price, 28ml £18.82. Legal category: POM.

SPC changes

Fasturtec
The summary of product characteristics for Fasturtec (rasburicase; sanofi-aventis) now includes hypotension, rhinitis and haemolytic anaemia as possible allergic reactions. See SPC.

Prostin VR
The summary of product characteristics for Prostin (alprostadil; Pfizer) VR Sterile Solution has been updated. The rate of apnoea in neonates is now reported as between 8 per cent and 38 per cent. The SPC now also states doses lower than 0.05µg/kg/min have been used successfully in neonates, specifically when transport of the infant is necessary. See SPC.

Taxotere
The adverse effects section of the summary of product characteristics for Taxotere (docetaxel; sanofi-aventis) has been updated. It now states that very rare cases of acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome have been reported in association with docetaxel when used in combination with other chemotherapy agents or radiotherapy. See SPC.

Discontinued products

Reminyl
Reminyl (galantamine) tablets 4mg will be discontinued from August. Reminyl tablets 8mg and 12mg, Reminyl XL capsules 8mg, 16mg and 24mg and Reminyl solution 4mg/ml will remain available.

Supply issues

Minocin MR
Wyeth is experiencing short-term supply problems with Minocin MR (minocycline) capsules 100mg. Medical enquiries on 01628 415330, stock enquiries on 0845 3300509.

Seconal Sodium
Flynn Pharma is experiencing temporary supply problems with Seconal Sodium (secobarbital sodium) capsules 100mg. The 50mg capsules will remain available. Further information on 01462 458974 or e-mail medinfo@flynnpharma.com.

Counter products

Imigran Recovery
Imigran Recovery (sumatriptan) tablets 50mg will be available in June from GlaxoSmithKline. Recommended retail price, 2 tablets £7.99. Legal category: P.

Products miscellany

Angeliq
The shelf-life of Angeliq (estradiol 1mg, drospirenone 2mg; Schering) tablets has been extended from three to five years.

Kepivance
The shelf-life of Kepivance (palifermin; Amgen) powder for solution for injection has been increased from 15 months to two years.