New product newswire: February 5, 2007

RX

NEW DRUGS

Cyanokit (hydroxocobalamin for injection), for intravenous infusion, has been FDA-approved for the treatment of known or suspected cyanide poisoning. The product is manufactured by EMD Pharmaceuticals, Durham, N.C., (919) 401-7100.

Plymouth Pharmaceuticals, Tulsa, Okla., (800) 316-9636, has launched a new prescription-only potassium bromide, nickel sulphate, and sulphur product for treating moderate to severe eczema/atopic dermatitis. Eczemol tablets are steroid-free and can be swallowed.

NEW INDICATIONS

Pfizer's Celebrex (celecoxib) has been granted a new indication for relief of the signs and symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in patients two years of age and older. Celebrex, which is a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was approved earlier for treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in adults. New York-based Pfizer Inc. can be reached at (212) 733-2323.

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Raleigh, N.C., (919) 862-1000, has been granted an expanded indication for Colazal (balsalazide disodium) tablets 750 mg, used to treat mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis. Earlier approved for the treatment of adult patients, Colazal can now be used in patients aged five to 17 years of age.

Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, Ill., (847) 948-2000, has received an expanded indication for its general inhalation anesthetic. Suprane (desflurane, USP) can now be used for the maintenance of anesthesia in infants and children after induction with other agents and tracheal intubation.

NEW FORMULATIONS

From Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, N.J., (862) 778-8300, comes Foradil Certihaler, a low-dose, multi-dose dry powder inhaler version of formoterol, a long-acting bronchodilator. Formoterol is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma and the prevention of bronchospasm. The dosage is 10 mcg every 12 hours.

ECR Pharmaceuticals, Northvale, N.J., (201) 750-2646, is introducing a once-a-day, low-sedating antihistamine. Lodrane 24D is an extended-release formulation of brompheniramine maleate and pseudoephedrine HCl used to treat chronic allergy. Unlike the previous formulation, Lodrane 24, this version has incorporated a decongestant to relieve stuffiness.

FluMist (influenza virus vaccine live, intranasal), originally approved in 2003, has now been approved in a new, refrigerated formulation. The vaccine is used to help prevent influenza in healthy children and adults aged five to 49 years. The original formulation required frozen storage. It is the product of MedImmune Inc., Gaithersburg, Md., (301) 398-0000.