The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7433 p9
6 January 2007

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Products

Prescription Products
• Enbrel
SPC changes
• Ebixa
• Sustiva
Discontinued products
• Cromogen and budesonide
• Fosamax
• Idrolax
• Prexige
• Sulpitil
• Topicycline

Prescription Products

Enbrel
Enbrel (etanercept) solution for injection in pre-filled syringe 25mg will be available from Wyeth from 8 January. Net price: 4 x 25mg, £357.50. Legal category: POM.

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SPC changes

Ebixa
The summary of product characteristics for Ebixa (memantine; Lundbeck) has been updated. Hypertension has been added to the list of most frequently occurring adverse events. Fungal infections and venous thrombosis/thromboembolism are now listed as uncommon adverse effects. See SPC.

Sustiva
The summaries of product characteristics for Sustiva (efavirenz; Bristol-Myers Squibb) have been updated and now include new drug interaction information. The SPCs say that co-administration of efavirenz with itraconazole can result in decreased levels of itraconazole compared with itraconazole alone; the SPCs recommend that alternative antifungal treatment should be considered. New details about co-administration of efavirenz with diltiazem and other calcium channel blockers has also been added. See SPCs.

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Discontinued products

Cromogen and budesonide
Teva UK has discontinued Cromogen (sodium cromoglicate; IVAX livery) metered dose inhaler 5mg and Budesonide Cyclocaps 100 x 200µg and 50 x 400µg. Cromogen Easi-Breathe inhaler 5mg will be discontinued from 1 March.

Fosamax
Merck Sharp & Dohme has discontinued Fosamax (alendronate sodium) tablets 5mg. Supplies should remain available until the beginning of February. Fosamax tablets 10mg and Fosamax Once Weekly tablets 70mg remain available.

Idrolax
Schwarz Pharma has discontinued Idrolax (macrogol 4000) sachets 10g. Existing stocks are expected to be exhausted by the end of February. Enquiries about Idrolax can be made to Schwarz until the end of March. From 1 April Idrolax enquiries should be made to Ipsen Ltd on 01753 627777.

Prexige
Prexige (lumaricoxib; Novartis) tablets 400mg will be discontinued from 31 January 2007. Prexige tablets 100mg will remain available for symptomatic relief in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Sulpitil
Sulpitil (sulpiride; Pharmacia) tablets 112 x 200mg have been discontinued. Existing stocks are expected to remain available until the end of February. Sulpitil tablets 28 x 200mg remain available.

Topicycline
Shire Pharmaceuticals will discontinue Topicycline (tetracycline) solution 70ml at the end of January. Further information on 01256 894107.

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