New Product Newswire

NEW PRODUCT NEWSWIRE

Rx

NEW DRUGS

Upsher-Smith Laboratories has unveiled Folgard RX 2.2 (folic acid, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂ combination) for nutritional support and folic acid supplementation. The prescription-strength dietary supplement combines three B vitamins into one tablet and comes in 100-count bottles. For more information, contact the Plymouth, Minn., firm at (800) 328-3344.

NEW GENERICS

You can now purchase famotidine tablets from a few more manufacturers. They are Andrx Corp., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., (800) 621-7143; Mylan Laboratories, Pittsburgh, (800) RxMylan; Par Pharmaceutical, Spring Valley, N.Y., (845) 425-7100; and TEVA Pharmaceuticals, North Wales, Pa., (888) TEVA USA. All four companies are offering the tablets in 20-mg and 40-mg strengths. Famotidine is the generic version of Merck's Pepcid for the treatment of ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and pathological hypersecretory conditions.

Mylan has also received approval to market buspirone hydrochloride tablets 15-mg. The drug is the generic equivalent of Bristol-Myers Squibb's BuSpar Tablets, which are used for the short-term relief or management of anxiety disorders.

For patients unable to take the oral form of the drug, famotidine injection is available from Bedford Laboratories, Bedford, Ohio, (440) 232-3320, and from ESI Lederle, Philadelphia, (800) 964-6374. Bedford is offering the histamine H₂-receptor antagonist in a 500 mg/50 ml pharmacy bulk pack as well as in a 2-ml single-dose vial, a 4-ml two-dose vial, and a 20-ml multidose vial. ESI Lederle is providing famotidine as a Sterile solution, 10-mg/ml, in 2-ml, 4-ml, and 20-ml vials.

Hospitals treating patients with secondary carnitine deficiency can order levocarnitine injection USP from Bedford Laboratories, Bedford, Ohio, (440) 232-3320. The product, which is equivalent to Sigma-Tau Pharmaceutical's Carnitor, is packaged in 1g/5ml, single-dose vials, with 10 per pack.

Gensia Sicor Pharmaceuticals has launched thiotepa for injection, designed to treat carcinoma of the breast and ovaries; superficial papillary carcinoma of the urinary bladder; and lymphomas, such as Hodgkin's disease. The branded product is Thioplex, by Immunex Corp. Gensia Sicor is part of Sicor Inc., Irvine, Calif., (949) 455-4700.

NEW DEVICES

Sterling Medivations is unleashing a slew of products for diabetes patients. First, there's the Silver Pen, an insulin-injection device that purportedly provides more comfort and safety than other reusable insulin pens. Then there's The LifeMatch System, which allows patients to inject insulin through a hidden catheter, an option available only to insulin pump users in the past. Next, there's a new line of Simple Choice Soft and Winged-style catheters. Formerly available only from insulin pump makers, they are now for sale in pharmacies. In addition, the company is launching the Sterling Y Catheter, which allows patients to simultaneously use an insulin pump catheter and traditional syringes and insulin pens without multiple injections. Finally, there's the Sterling Infuser, which is inserted every two to three days like a catheter and allows patients who prefer a syringe or pen to inject their insulin without multiple needlesticks. For more information on these products, contact the San Jose, Calif., firm at (408) 297-9473, ext. 0.

OTC

Out of the gate at Stiefel Laboratories is DermaVite, a dietary supplement that contains a combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to promote and support healthy skin as well as help protect it from environmental damage. The product is available from the Oak Hill, N.Y., firm at 888 STIEFEL.

Also formulated for the skin are Nuclear Associates' Alra personal care products, tailored especially for patients who have undergone radiation therapy. Among the new products are Alra Radiation Therapy Lotion to help provide relief from acute radiation dermatitis; Alra Nonmetallic Deodorant, which eliminates perspiration odor and wetness without the use of metallic ingredients that may interfere with radiation treatments; and Alra Mild Conditioning Shampoo, an extra-gentle formula that is acid-balanced to minimize hair damage. To place an order, call the Carle Place, N.Y., firm at (888) 466-8257.

Another new dermatologic product is Theraseal Hand Protection to treat and prevent hand derma-titis and eczema. The protectant is formulated with dimethicone to safeguard damaged skin, cyclomethicone for lubrication, and aluminum magnesium hydroxide stearate to repel water. The emulsion is available from Healthpoint Ltd., Fort Worth, (800) 441-8227.

Home Health Care

BrickRoth Inc. is unfurling the Gripeez, an ergonomic slip-on handle for toothbrushes, razors, tools, etc. By slipping on this aid for daily living, users with limited dexterity can get a handhold on these household items. BrickRoth is based in Ashland, Ore., (888) 830-GRIP.

EZ Detect Stool Blood Test is now available from Biomerica Inc., Newport Beach, Calif., (949) 645-2111. This home test kit does not require users to handle the stool sample, undergo diet restrictions, or send the sample to a lab for processing. Users simply drop the test tissue into the toilet bowl after a bowel movement. If a lot of blood is present in the sample, the tissue turns blue-green in two minutes. The kit contains five test tissues, instructions, a quality control to ensure the product is working properly, and a result postcard for submission to a physician.

Just in time for May, hypertension month, is Omron's HEM-630 Ultra Compact Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor. The small monitor is the size of a Swatch watch; takes 21 readings and averages them out to three; combines the cuff, electronics, and digital display into one unit; and is priced at $99-$119. Omron is based in Vernon Hills, Ill., (800) 634-4350.

Maddak Inc. has combined a fork and a knife into one eating utensil for the disabled. The Eating Tool Eating Aid allows users to use cut bite-size pieces of food using only one hand. The device is priced at $2.98, with a bag of 25 available for $49.50. Maddak is headquartered in Pequannock, N.J., (973) 628-7600.

Maddak Inc. is also offering the Universal Toilet Transfer Seat, which fits over the home or institutional toilet to assist and accommodate the disabled.

C. R. Bard, (800) 526-4455, is distributing Incline Technologies' Bag Bath patient hygiene system. The system includes disposable alcohol-free cloths that eliminate the need for rinsing and drying and a bag that can be resealed and warmed to enhance patient comfort. The Murray Hill, N.J., firm claims the product reduces the potential for cross-contamination and substantially lessens patient bathing time.

Johnson & Johnson is unleashing a battery of first aid products. First Aid Brand Advanced Care Quick Stop Gauze Pads contain calcium alginate to help blood clot faster and prevent gauze from sticking painfully to a wound. A box of six smaller pads carry a suggested retail price of $3.99 and a box of six larger pads for $4.99. Then there are the following Band-Aid Brand products: Quick Stop Adhesive Bandages, designed to stop bleeding faster than ordinary bandages; Pain & Itch Relief Adhesive Bandages, for relieving the itch of insect bites; and Gentle Care Adhesive Bandages, which stay in place but are gentle to skin. Finally, there's Band-Aid Brand Hurt-Free Antiseptic Wash, which cleans wounds without stinging. J&J's Consumer Products Co. is based in Skillman, N.J., (203) 705-9233.

Health & Beauty Care

Colgate-Palmolive Co. has rolled out Lady Speed Stick Aloe in a Soft Solid form as well as a No White Residue Invisible Dry stick. The antiperspirant and deodorant delivers skin conditioning benefits to women who want odor and wetness control, said the New York City firm, (212) 310-3481. The Aloe Soft Solid comes in a 1.4-oz. size and three fragrances and retails at $2.49. The Aloe Invisible Dry is also available in three fragrances and retails for the same price, but it is larger at 2.3 oz.

Sally Hansen, Uniondale, N.Y., (516) 844-2020, has debuted its Lotion Hair Remover and its Brush-On Crème Hair Bleach Kit. The four-minute depilatory sells for about $4.99, while the hair lightener is priced at about $6.99. Both feminine grooming products are gentle enough for sensitive skin, according to the company.

 

New Product Newswire. Drug Topics 2001;10:71.