The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7464 p151
11 August 2007

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Products

Accessing SPCs
The summaries of product characteristics and patient information leaflets for medicines licensed in the UK are available online

Prescription Products
• Cardioxane
• Metformin
SPC changes
• Glivec
• Zerit

Medical device alert HemoCue Glucose meters

Prescription Products

Cardioxane
Cardioxane (dexrazoxane) lyophylised powder 500mg for solution for infusion is now available from Novartis. It is indicated for the prevention of chronic cumulative cardiotoxicity caused by doxorubicin or epirubicin use in advanced or metastatic cancer patients after previous anthracycline-containing treatment.
Net price: 1 vial, £156.57
Legal category: POM

Metformin
Metformin is now available from Rosemont in a liquid formulation.
Net price: 150ml x 500mg/5ml, £86
Legal category: POM

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SPC changes

Glivec
Information about interactions between Glivec (imatinib; Novartis) and CYP3A4 inducers and CYP2D6 substrates has been added to Glivec’s summary of product characteristics.

Zerit
Additional safety information about Zerit (stavudine; Bristol-Myers Squibb) hard capsules and powder for oral solution has been included in the products’ summaries of product characteristics. Warnings about mitochondrial DNA toxicity, osteonecrosis and lipoatrophy have been added.

The SPC warns that coadministration of Zerit with either doxorubicin or ribavirin should be undertaken with caution and that Zerit should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. In addition, information about dose adjustment in patients with peripheral neuropathy has been updated.

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