The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7437 p127
3 February 2007

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Products

Prescription Products
• Caramet
• Eprex
• Furosemide
• Omeprazole
• Ondansetron
SPC changes
• Perfalgan
• Videx
• Zevalin
Discontinued products
• Forceval
Supply issues
• Chloromycetin
• Tri-iodothyronine
Products miscellany
• Moviprep
• Aclasta

Prescription Products

Caramet
Caramet (carbidopa/levodopa) CR tablets are now available from Teva UK. Net price: 60 x 25/100mg, £11.47; 60 x 50/200mg, £11.47. Legal category: POM.

Eprex
Eprex (epoetin alfa) is now available from Janssen-Cilag in 40,000IU/ml pre-filled syringes. Net price: 6 x 20,000IU/0.5ml, £150.84; 6 x 40,000IU/1ml, £301.68. Legal category: POM.

Furosemide
Furosemide solution for injection or infusion 10mg/ml is now available from Wockhardt UK. Net price: 10 x 250mg/25ml, £25. Legal category: POM.

Omeprazole
Omeprazole powder for infusion is now available from Pliva. Net price: 5 x 40mg, £26.07. Legal category: POM.

Ondansetron
Ondansetron tablets 4mg are now available from Pliva in packs of 10. Net price: £17.98. Legal category: POM.

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SPC changes

Perfalgan
The summary of product characteristics for Perfalgan (paracetamol; Bristol-Myers Squibb) solution for infusion has been updated to include additional information about suitable diluents. The SPC now says that Perfalgan can also be diluted up to one 10th in 0.9 per cent sodium chloride solution, or 5 per cent glucose solution, and to use the diluted solution within one hour (including the infusion time). The diluted solution should be visually inspected and should not be used if opalescence, visible particulates or precipitate is present. See SPC.

Videx
The summaries of product characteristics for Videx (didanosine; Bristol-Myers Squibb) chewable or dispersible tablets and EC gastroresistant capsules have been updated to include additional warnings on the increased risk of pancreatitis, hepatic events and peripheral neuropathy in patients with HIV receiving didanosine with hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide) and stavudine. See SPCs.

Zevalin
The summary of product characteristics for Zevalin (ibritumomab tiuxetan; Schering) has been updated to include additional information on haematological toxicity. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Forceval
Alliance Pharmaceuticals has discontinued Forceval Protein Powder (multivitamin, mineral and protein supplement). Stocks are expected to be exhausted in April (vanilla flavour), June (strawberry flavour) and October (natural flavour). Forceval capsules and Forceval Junior capsules remain available.

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Supply issues

Chloromycetin
Chloromycetin (chloramphenicol; Goldshield) ointment 4g and Redidrops 5ml are now available following a supply problem. Medical information on 020 8588 9131, stock enquiries on 020 8588 9273.

Tri-iodothyronine
New stocks of tri-iodothyronine (Goldshield) injection 20µg are now available following a product recall (PJ, 18 November 2006, p605).

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Products miscellany

Moviprep
Moviprep bowel cleansing solution is now available from Norgine Pharmaceuticals. Net price: 4 sachets, £10.27. Legal category: P.

Aclasta
The shelf life for Aclasta (zoledronic acid; Novartis) solution for infusion 5mg has been increased from 30 to 36 months.

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