New product newswire: September 18, 2006
The Sanovi-Aventis Group, with U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater, N.J., (908) 243-6000, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, N.J., (609) 252-4000, now have FDA approval for a new indication for Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate). The antiplatelet agent can now be used with aspirin in patients with the most severe type of heart attack-acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who are not going to have coronary artery repair, or angioplasty. It was previously approved for helping reduce the risk of death, recurrent heart attacks, or strokes in patients with unstable angina or less severe heart attacks.
RX
NEW INDICATIONS
NEW FORMULATIONS
Now available in a new DiscMelt tablet is the atypical antipsychotic medication Abilify (aripiprazole), from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Rockville, Md., (800) 321-1335. The vanilla-flavored, orally disintegrating tablet dissolves rapidly in the mouth. Indicated for adults with schizophrenia or manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, Abilify DiscMelt is available in 10- and 15-mg tablets.
NOW AVAILABLE
A new therapeutic option is now available in pharmacies nationwide for breast cancer patients who prefer an alternative to pills. Soltamox (tamoxifen citrate, oral solution 10mg/5mL) is approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease. The medication is a sugar-free, colorless liquid, with the odor and taste of licorice and aniseed. The recommended daily dose is 20-40 mg, with dosages greater than 20 mg divided into morning and evening doses. A 20-mg dose of Soltamox is administered as 10 mL of the oral solution.
NEW GENERICS
Detroit-based Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, (313) 871-8400, has final approval from the FDA to market generic baclofen tablets. Baclofen is a muscle relaxant and antispastic agent, used to relieve the muscle spasms, pain, and muscular rigidity associated with multiple sclerosis. The drug is available in 10- and 20-mg strengths.
