The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7455 p668-669
9 June 2007

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Products

Prescription Products
• Budenofalk
• Hydrocortisone
• Rebif
• Vaqta Paediatric
SPC changes
• Betaferon
• Maxolon
• Somatuline Autogel
Discontinued products
• Nocutil
• Promod
Supply issues
• Isovorin
• Tertroxin
Products miscellany
• Evista
• Kepivance
• Nasonex
• Teoptic

Recall & Device alerts
• Casodex
• Plavix
• Smiths Medical medication cassette reservoir

Prescription Products

Budenofalk
Budenofalk Rectal Foam (budesonide) 2mg is now available from Dr Falk Pharma UK. Each canister contains 14 doses (two weeks’ treatment) of 2mg/20ml. Net price: 1 canister, £58.22. Legal category: POM.

Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone tablets 10mg and 20mg are now available from Auden McKenzie. Net price: 30 x 10mg tablets, £0.70; 30 x 20mg tablets, £1.07. Legal category: POM.

Rebif
Rebif (interferon beta-1a) solution for injection is now available from Serono in an initiation pack containing 6 x 8.8µg pre-filled syringes and 6 x 22µg pre-filled syringes. Net price: 1 pack, £586.19. Legal category: POM.

Vaqta Paediatric
Vaqta Paediatric (hepatitis A vaccine, purified inactivated, for paediatrics and adolescents; Sanofi Pasteur MSD) is now only available as a pre-filled syringe. Net price: £15.65. Legal category: POM.

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SPC changes

Betaferon
The summary of product characteristics for Betaferon (interferon beta-1b; Schering Health Care) now includes information about the use of Betaferon for adolescents aged 12 to 16 years. “Limited published data suggest that the safety profile in adolescents from 12 to 16 years of age receiving Betaferon 8.0 million IU subcutaneously every other day is similar to that seen in adults,” the SPC states. See SPC.

Maxolon
The summaries of product characteristics for Maxolon (metoclopramide; Shire) products have been updated to include warnings about possible interactions with other serotonergic drugs. The SPC says that Maxolon should be used with care in combination with other serotonergic drugs including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors because the combination may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. See SPCs.

Somatuline Autogel
The summary of product characteristics for Somatuline Autogel (lanreotide; Ipsen) now includes new wording about dosing adjustment in the administration section. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Nocutil
Norgine Pharmaceuticals has discontinued Nocutil (desmopressin acetate) nasal spray 5ml and 6ml. Norgine expects stocks to be exhausted by the end of July 2007. Further information on 01895 826633.

Promod
Abbott Nutrition has discontinued ProMod powder modular feed. Further details on 01628 773355.

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Supply issues

Isovorin
Wyeth has advised that there may be a short-term supply shortage for Isovorin (calcium levofolinate) injection 175mg in the next few weeks. Further information from www.wyeth.co.uk. Medical information on 0845 3670098.

Tertroxin
Tertroxin (liothyronine) tablets 20µg will be unavailable from Goldshield Pharmaceuticals until the end of July. Stock queries on 020 8588 9273. Medical information on 020 8588 9131.

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Products miscellany

Evista
The shelf-life of Evista (raloxifene hydrochloride; Lilly UK) has been increased from two to three years.

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

Nasonex
Nasonex (mometasone furoate; Schering-Plough) has been reformulated and no longer contains phenylethyl alcohol as an excipient.

Teoptic
The shelf-lives of Teoptic (carteolol hydrochloride; Novartis) eye drops 1 per cent and 2 per cent have been reduced from three to two years.

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