Selected items from the News and Latest Additions sections of www.palliativedrugs.com, the world’s leading palliative care website.
Drug updates
Hydromorphone ER 32mg launched in US
A once daily modified-release hydromorphone 32mg tablet (Exalgo; Mallinckrodt, Hazelwood, MO) has been added to the existing product range of 8mg, 12mg and 16mg modified-release tablets for opioid-tolerant adult patients with moderate to severe chronic pain in the US. For full prescribing information click here.
Epistatus product description change
There has been a change made to the product description of the unauthorized (unlicensed) midazolam product Epistatus (Special Products Limited; 01932 690325 Weybridge, Surrey, UK) as follows:
Midazolam (Epistatus) 10mg in 1mL Buccal Liquid x 5mL
has been replaced with
Midazolam (Epistatus) 10mg in 1mL Oromucosal Solution x 5mL.
Change of supplier for Epanutin (phenytoin) capsules
Flynn Pharma has taken over the manufacture and distribution of Epanutin (phenytoin) capsules in the UK, with the product now marketed as Phenytoin sodium Flynn hard capsules (a generic). Phenytoin sodium Flynn hard capsules are bioequivalent to Epanutin and the capsules have markings and colourings exactly like Epanutin capsules, including still having the marking ‘Epanutin’.
Prescribers are advised to specify the Flynn Pharma product when ordering as pharmacies cannot give the Flynn Pharma product against a prescription for Epanutin and will need to get the prescription amended.
Concern has been raised in the media regarding the significant cost increase from £0.66 for a pack of 28 x 25mg capsules to £15.74. For more information click here.
Metolazone discontinued
Metolazone tablets (Sanofi Aventis) have been discontinued by the manufacturer in the UK and supplies are almost exhausted. There is currently no other supplier of metolazone tablets in the UK. The British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) has advised switching patients from metolazone to bendroflumethiazide when a patient’s supplies run out, at a dose of 2.5 mg, increasing to 5mg, if indicated.
It is thought that generic manufacturers may step into the breach, and metolazone may become available again in the UK in the future. For more information click here.
Prepared by Sarah Charlesworth and Andrew Wilcock