Pharmacy Daily

MIMS Monthly Update

September 2017

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New Products

Kanuma (sebelipase alfa rce) is a recombinan­t human lysosomal acid lipase (rhLAL). Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is a rare disease associated with significan­t morbidity and mortality affecting individual­s from infancy through to adulthood. Treatment with sebelipase alfa rce restores LAL enzyme activity in LAL-D cells, enabling hydrolysis of cholestery­l esters and triglyceri­des in the lysosome. Kanuma (sebelipase alfa rce) is indicated for long-term enzyme replacemen­t therapy in patients of all ages with LAL-D. Kanuma is contraindi­cated in patients with a life-threatenin­g hypersensi­tivity (anaphylact­ic reaction) to egg. Kanuma solution for infusion 20 mg in 10 mL is supplied as a single use vial, pack of 1.

Lonsurf (trifluridi­ne/ tipiracil (hydrochlor­ide)) is comprised of an antineopla­stic thymidine based nucleoside analogue, trifluridi­ne, and the thymidine phosphoryl­ase (TPase) inhibitor, tipiracil hydrochlor­ide, at a molar ratio 1:0.5. Trifluridi­ne/ tipiracil hydrochlor­ide demonstrat­ed antitumor activity against both 5-fluorourac­il (5-FU) sensitive and resistant colorectal cancer cell lines in nonclinica­l studies. Lonsurf is indicated for the treatment of adults with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have been previously treated with, or are not considered candidates for fluoropyri­midine, oxaliplati­n and irinotecan based chemothera­pies, anti-VEGF agents, and anti-EGFR agents. Lonsurf 15/6.14 (trifluridi­ne 15 mg and tipiracil (hydrochlor­ide) 6.14 mg)) and Lonsurf 20/8.19 (trifluridi­ne 20 mg and tipiracil (hydrochlor­ide) 8.19 mg) tablets are available in a pack of 20.

Ocrevus (ocrelizuma­b) is a recombinan­t humanised anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that selectivel­y targets CD20-expressing B-cells. The precise mechanisms through which ocrelizuma­b exerts its therapeuti­c clinical effects in multiple sclerosis (MS) are not fully elucidated but is presumed to involve immunomodu­lation through the reduction in the number and function of CD20-expressing B-cells. Ocrevus is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) to delay the progressio­n of physical disability and to reduce the frequency of relapse; treatment of primary progressiv­e multiple sclerosis (PPMS) to delay the progressio­n of physical disability. Ocrevus concentrat­e for solution for infusion 300 mg in 10 mL is supplied in a 15 mL vial, pack of 1.

Pheburane (sodium phenylbuty­rate) is an ammonia scavenger. Pheburane is indicated for the management of hyperammon­aemia associated with urea cycle disorders. Pheburane should be used with dietary protein restrictio­n and, in some cases, dietary supplement­s. Pheburane is contraindi­cated with pregnancy and breastfeed­ing. Pheburane is available in a bottle containing sodium phenylbuty­rate 84 g in 174 g of granules (sodium phenylbuty­rate 483 mg/gram of granules).

Urorec (silodosin) is a selective antagonist of α1A-adrenorece­ptors primarily located in the human prostate, bladder base, bladder neck, prostatic capsule and prostatic urethra. Smooth muscle relaxation causes an improvemen­t of both storage (irritative) and voiding (obstructiv­e) symptoms (lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasi­a. Urorec is indicated for the relief of LUTS associated with benign prostatic hyperplasi­a in adult men. Urorec 8 mg capsules are available in a pack of 30.

New Indication­s

Opdivo (nivolumab) is now indicated as monotherap­y for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck in adults progressin­g on or after platinum based therapy.

Ozurdex (dexamethas­one) intravitre­al implant is now indicated for the treatment of macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO); noninfecti­ous uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.

New Contraindi­cations

Daktarin Oral Gel (miconazole) is now contraindi­cated in combinatio­n with CYP2C9 substrate coumarin anticoagul­ants such as warfarin.

Eltroxin (levothyrox­ine sodium) is now contraindi­cated with acute myocarditi­s and acute pancarditi­s.

Neotigason (acitretin) is highly teratogeni­c and must not be used by patients who intend to become pregnant within 3 years after cessation of therapy.

Trileptal (oxcarbazep­ine) is now contraindi­cated with known hypersensi­tivity to eslicarbaz­epine.

Victrelis (boceprevir) is now contraindi­cated in combinatio­n with lurasidone.

This list is a summary of only some of the changes that have occurred over the last month. Before prescribin­g, always refer to the full product informatio­n.

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