UK drug update - September 2004

Chiron Vaccines has launched Dukoral, an oral cholera vaccine. Each 3mL dose contains 1 x 10¹¹ killed whole Vibrio cholerae 01 bacteria(Inaba and Ogawa serotypes and ElTor and classical biotypes), and the recombinant cholera toxin B subunit(rCTB).

Janssen-Cilag has made available Tramacet tablets containing 37.5mg of the opiate analogue tramadol hydrochloride and 325mg of the analgesic paracetamol.

Eli Lilly & Co has launched Strattera, which contains 10mg, 18mg, 25mg or 40mg of atomoxetine hydrochloride, a selective inhibitor of the presynaptic noradrenaline transporter.

Novo Nordisk has introduced Levemir, containing 100IU/mL of the long-acting human insulin analogue insulin detemir.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has brought out Imigran Radis, rapidly disintegrating tablets of the 5-hydroxytryptamine1-agonist sumatriptan succinate as 50mg or 100mg tablet packs of 6 or 12 tablets.

Serono has marketed GONAL-f as a prefilled pen containing 300IU/0.5mL, 450IU/0.75mL or 900IU/1.5mL of the gonadotrophin follitropin alfa.

Astra Zeneca UK has made available Faslodex solution for injection in a 5mL prefilled syringe containing 250mg of the oestrogen receptor antagonist in 5mL.

Pfizer has added Somavert vials to its product range, containing 10mg, 15mg or 20mg of the growth hormone receptor antagonist pegvisomant.

Auden McKenzie launched 1mg/1mL solution for injection of the vitamin B12 product hydroxocobalamin.

Merck Pharmaceuticals has launched Erbitux solution for infusion containing 2mg/mL of the antineoplastic agent cetuximab.

Novartis has made available Co-Diovan tablets containing the angiotensin II antagonist valsartan and the thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide in the ratios 160mg/12.5mg and 160mg/25mg, respectively.

APS/Berk has marketed 10mg tablets of the CNS stimulant methylphenidate.

Almus Pharmaceuticals has brought out Pen V. The product contains 250mg tablets of the antibiotic phenoxymethylpenicillin.

GlaxoSmithKline has marketed Telzic, containing 700mg of the protease inhibitor fosamprenavir calcium.

Shire Pharmaceuticals has launched Vaniqa containing 11.5% w/w of eflornithine, the inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase.