Epirubicin Hydrochloride Injection
Teva Health Systems (Irvine, CA),
part of Teva Pharmaceuticals, recently
announced the introduction and availability
of Epirubicin Hydrochloride Injection.
This product is AP-rated to
Ellence Injection (Pharmacia & Upjohn).
Epirubicin Hydrochloride Injection is indicated
as a component of adjuvant therapy
in patients with evidence of axillary
node tumor involvement following resection
of primary breast cancer. This product
is administered to patients by intravenous
infusion. It is given in repeated 3-
to 4-week cycles. The total dose of
Epirubicin Hydrochloride Injection may
be given on Day 1 of each cycle or divided
equally and given on Days 1 and 8 of
each cycle. Epirubicin Hydrochloride
Injection is available in 2 mg/mL, 50 mg
and 2 mg/mL, 200 mg in single-dose
polymer vials. For more information, visit
www.tevausa.com, or call 888-TEVA-USA
(888-838-2872).
Somatuline Depot (lanreotide) Injection
Tercica Inc (Brisbane, CA) recently
received FDA approval to market
Somatuline Depot Injection 60, 90, and
120 mg/mL in the United States. This
product is indicated for the long-term
treatment of acromegalic patients who
have had an inadequate response to surgery
and/or radiotherapy, or for whom
surgery and/or radiotherapy is not an
option. Patients should begin treatment
with Somatuline Depot Injection 90 mg
given via deep subcutaneous route every
4 weeks for 3 months. Thereafter, the
dose should be adjusted according to the
response of the patient as judged by a
reduction in serum growth hormone
and/or insulin-like growth factor I levels;
and/or changes in symptoms of acromegaly.
The starting dose in patients with
moderate and severe renal or moderate
and severe hepatic impairment should
be 60 mg via deep subcutaneous route
every 4 weeks for 3 months. The product
is available in 60-, 90-, and 120-mg sterile,
single-use, prefilled syringes. The prefilled
syringes contain a white to pale yellow,
semisolid formulation. For more
information, call 866-837-2422, or visit
www.somatulinedepot.com.
Totect (dexrazoxane hydrochloride for injection)
TopoTarget USA Inc (Rockaway, NJ),
the US subsidiary of TopoTarget A/S,
recently announced that Totect is now
available to cancer treatment facilities
throughout the United States through its
distributor ASD Healthcare and Oncology
Supply. Totect is the only FDA-approved
treatment for extravasation from intravenous
anthracycline chemotherapy, the
accidental leakage of chemotherapy
drugs into surrounding tissue. The company
received FDA approval, under an
orphan drug designation, on September
6, 2007.Totect should be given once daily
for 3 consecutive days. The first infusion
should be initiated as soon as possible
and within the first 6 hours after extravasation.
The recommended dose is 1000
mg/m2on Day 1, 1000 mg/m2on Day 2,
and 500 mg/m2on Day 3. The Totect dose
should be reduced by 50% in patients
with creatinine clearance values <40
mL/min. This product is available as 500
mg dexrazoxane in a single-use vial that
is packaged in a carton consisting of 10
vials of dexrazoxane for injection and 10
vials of diluent. For more information,
visit www.totect.com, or call 866-914-2922.
6-mg and 12-mg Adenosine Syringes
Sagent Pharmaceuticals Inc (Schaumburg, IL) recently launched a full
line of prefilled, ready-to-use 6-mg and
12-mg Adenosine Syringes. Adenosine
injection, USP, is the generic equivalent of
Astellas Pharma US Inc's Adenocard, an
antiarrhythmic commonly used in the
treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular
tachycardia, a rhythm disturbance of
the heart in critical-care situations. Adenosine
works by slowing the electrical
conduction in the heart, slowing heart
rate of normalizing heart rhythm. The
most common adverse effects may
include facial flushing, shortness of
breath, and chest pressure. These are
generally self-limiting and resolve within
a few seconds. Less common adverse
effects include transient or prolonged
asystole, premature ventricular contractions,
and bradycardia. For more information,
visit www.sagentpharma.com, or
call 866-625-1618.