UK drug update
Pharmacia & Upjohn has launched Zyvox tablets, infusion and suspension. The tablets contain 600mg of antibacterial agent linezolid; the solution for infusion 2mg/ml; and the oral suspension 20mg/ml. The company has also made available 10mg and 20mg tablets of the benzodiazepine temazepam.
Sanofi Synthelabo has marketed Depakote tablets containing 250mg or 500mg of the GABA potentiator valproic acid (as valproate semisodium).
Bioglan Generics has introduced the b-blocker bisoprolol in 28-tablet packs of 5mg and 10mg tablets.
Beacon Pharmaceuticals has brought out the cytotoxic antibiotic daunorubicin hydrochloride in vials containing 21.4mg (equivalent to 20mg base).
Boehringer Ingelheim has marketed Micardis tablets containing 20 mg of angiotensin II antagonist telmisartan.
Strakan has brought out chewable tablets of Adcal containing 1500mg calcium carbonate (equivalent to 600mg elemental calcium).
Pfizer has marketed Lipitor tablets containing 80mg of the statin atorvastatin.
Merck Sharp & Dohme has brought out Fosamax Once Weekly tablets. The product contains 70mg of the biphosphonate alendronate.
Schering Health Care has marketed Fludara oral tablets containing 10mg of the cytotoxic fludarabine phosphate.
Rosemont Pharmaceuticals has introduced Syprol oral solution. The product contains 5mg/5ml, 10mg/5ml or 50mg/5ml of the b-blocker propranolol hydrochloride.
Elan Pharma has launched Actiq lozenges containing 200µg, 400µg, 600µg, 800µg, 1200µg or 1600µg of the opioid antagonist fentanyl (as citrate).
Aurum Pharmaceuticals has brought out a 600µg injection of the anticholinergic atropine sulphate.
Schering Healthcare has marketed Levonelle. It contains 750g tablets of the progestogen levonorgestrel.
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Synthelabo have co-marketed Co-Aprovel tablets containing 150mg of theangiotensin II antagonist irbesartan and 12.5mg of the thiazide hydrochlorothiazide.
GlaxoSmithKline has brought out Trizir tablets containing the following nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: 300mg abacavir, 150mg lamivudine and 300mg zidovudine.
Dominion Pharma has launched 8mg and 16mg tablets of the histamine analogue betahistine hydrochloride.
SmithKline Beecham has introduced ACWY Vax, a meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine for active immunisation against meningococcal meningitis A, C, W135 and Y.
Cusi Ophthalmic Generics has made available 0.5% eye-drops of the b-blocker levobunolol.
Generics (UK) has added the following products to its range of generic drugs: 400mg tablets of antipsychotic sulpiride; 250mg tablets of antibiotic erythromycin; and 50mg and 100mg tablets of class I antiarrhythmic flecainide.