September
2002 
From: Bristol-Meyer Squibb
Announcing a new indication for PLAVIX® (Clopidogrel bisulfate) 75 mg tablets in patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina/non-Q-wave MI)
Dear Healthcare Provider:
We are pleased to announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the antiplatelet medication Plavix® (Clopidogrel bisulfate) for a new indication-acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
For patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina/non-Q-wave MI), including patients who are to managed medically and those who are to be managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (with or without stent) or CABG, PLAVIX has been shown to decrease the rate of a combined end point of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke as well as the rate of a combined end point of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, or refractory ischemia.
This new indication for PLAVIX is based on results from the landmark CURE (Clopidogrel in Unstable Angina to Prevent Recurrent Events) study of 12,562 patients. Patients were randomized to PLAVIX (300-mg loading dose followed by 75mg/day) or placebo, both given in combination with aspiring (75-325 mg once daily for up to 1 year. Patients also received other standard therapy. The use of GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors was not permitted for 3 days prior to randomization.
Efficacy
PLAVIX + Aspirin versus Placebo +Aspirin:
-
PLAVIX provided a 20% relative risk reduction in the combined end point of MI, stroke, and cardiovascular death (9.3 % in the PLAVIX + ASA-treated group and 11.4% in the placebo +ASA- treated group , P=0.00009).
-
PLAVIX also provided a relative risk reduction of 14% in the co-primary combined end point of MI, stoke, CV death, and refractory ischemia (16.5% in the PLAVIX + ASA-treated group and 18.8% in the placebo +ASA-treated group, P=0.0005).
-
Benefits of PLAVIX were seen early and maintained throughout the course of the trial (up to 1 year).
-
Benefits of PLAVIX were maintained with or without revascularization and independently of the dose of aspiring or the use of IV GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors, heparin/LMWH, lipid-lowering agents, beta blockers, or ACE inhibitors.
Clinical Profile
PLAVIX + Aspirin versus Placebo +Aspirin:
-
Safety and tolerability demonstrated in the CURE trial.
-
The risk of major and minor bleeding was increased (major bleeding: 3.7% vs 2.7%, respectively, P=0.001; minor bleeding: 5.1% vs 2.4% respectively, P<0.001).
Dosage and Administration
-
In ACS (unstable angina/non-Q-wave MI), PLAVIX should be initiated with a single 300-mg loading dose then continued at 75 mg once daily ( in combination with aspirin 75-325 mg once daily). In CURE, most patients with ACS also received heaprin acutely.
To learn more about the use of PLAVIX, visit www.plavix.com.
Important Risk Information
-
Plavix® (clopidogrel bisulfate) is contraindicated in patients with active pathologic bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage. As with other antiplatelet agents, PLAVIX should be used with caution in patients who may be at risk of increased bleeding from trauma, surgery, or coadministration with NSAIDs or warfarin.
-
The rates of major and minor bleeding were higher in patients treated with PLAVIX plus aspirin compared with placebo plus aspiring in a clinical trial .
-
As part of the worldwide postmarketing experience with PLAVIX, suspected cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic pruprua (TTP) have been reported at a rate of about 4 cases per million patients exposed. TTP has been reported rarely following use of PLAVIX, sometimes after a short exposure (<2 weeks). TTP is a serious condition requiring prompt treatment.
-
In clinical trials, the most common clinically important side effects were pruritus, prupura, diarrhea, and rash; infrequent events included intracranial hemorrhage (0.4%) and severe neutropenia (0.05%).
Please see accompanying full prescribing information.
Sincerely,
Chitra Sekaran, M.D. Senior Medical Director
Pharmacy News | more news | discussions | front page
September
2002
From: Ethex
Dear Pharmacist:
We are pleased to present the new ETHEX Prenatal Family Adhesive! The ETHEX prenatal Family Adhesive can be placed on any surface, easily removed and replaced. Position the ETHEX Prenatal Family Adhesive in your pharmacy to help remind you which ETHEX prenatals to use.
Contact ETHEX to be added to our prenatal update list - when we update our prenatal reference materials, a copy will automatically be sent to your pharmacy. You can also contract us for additional ETHEX Prenatal Family Adhesives. ETHEX can be reached at 1-800-321-1705 or by email at info@ethex.com.
Thank you for dispensing ETHEX prenatal vitamins!
Sincerely,
Brooke Eiler Product Manager
more news | discussions | front page
From Kos Pharmaceuticals 07-22-02
ADVICOR
A New, Single-tablet formulation
|
NDC Number |
60598-006-90 |
60598-007-90 |
60598-008-90 |
|
Product Description |
ADVICOR™(niacin extended-release/lovastatin tablets) |
ADVICOR™(niacin extended-release/lovastatin tablets) |
ADVICOR™(niacin extended-release/lovastatin tablets) |
|
Strength |
500 mg/20 mg |
750 mg/20 mg |
1000 mg/20 mg |
|
Bottle Package Size |
90 tablets |
90 tablets |
90 tablets |
|
AWP |
$130.50 |
$159.30 |
$170.10 |
Call your wholesaler now to place your order.
The #1 Link to Pharmacy Health and Disease Information
|
Health and Disease Information Websites (Consumer Friendly) 1. National Health Information Center 2002 National Health Observances http://www.health.gov/nhic/pubs/nho.htm A good website to get contact information on national health observances if you would to put a display at your institution or distribute information to your patients. 2. CNN's Health Website http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/ CNN's website devoted to health information which is updated daily. 3. Health Resources Directory from Healthtouch Online http://www.healthtouch.com This website has a directory, information on vitamins and supplements, health information, and medication guide. 4. Health A to Z website http://www.healthatoz.com An excellent website for health information, individuals can record health information, ask experts questions about diseases. 5. MedicineNet.com http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp A website with lots of medical information for consumer. It is produced by network of over 70 U.S. board-certified physicians. 6. Yahoo's health website http://dir.yahoo.com/health A directory sponsored by yahoo.com which includes health and medical websites. 7. USA Today's health website http://www.usatoday.com/news/healthscience/hsfront.htm Similar to CNN and MSNBC's health websites. 8. Intelhealth from Johns Hopkins Medical Center http://www.intelihealth.com InteliHealth's mission is to empower people with information to improve their health and has exclusive relationships with Harvard Medical School and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. 9. Healthfinder http://www.healthfinder.gov Healthfinder is a website with health and human services information, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthfinder has information from publications, clearinghouses, databases, and other websites, as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations that produce reliable information for the public. |
|
From Inez Victorian, PharmD Handheld or Palm Operating System Devices for Clinical Pharmacy Practice Handheld or Palm Operating System Devices can be very beneficial to clinical pharmacy practitioners. Palm m505, Handera 330 and Sony Clie are palm devices that are currently available. Palm m505 or Handera 330 are highly recommended. Types of existing software for these devices include patient tracking , activity documentation, document readers, medical calculators, medical information databases and drug information databases. Additionally, miscellaneous software for contacts , calendar, e-mail etc. exist for these devices. Two useful drug information databases regarding these devices are Lexi-drugs (Apothecarium) and ePocrates. |
Content Access forms Altmeds, Vet-meds, Desktop-to-go Handbase (POS) Jfile database (POS) Jot, Wordcomplete Quicknote (POS) Lexi Books Quickoffice for POS |
Site Name Pendragon e-Medtools Dataviz DDH Software Land-J CIC Software CIC Software Lexi Store Cutting Edge Software |
URL address Pendragon-software.com cesinc.com/index.html
|
Link Back | Medical Journals | Disease State Management Resources | Pharmacy General Links
Pharmacy Antiques | Pharmacy Collectibles | Pharmacy Archives
RPhLink.com |Front page | In Pharmacy this week | RxNews1 | RxNews2 | Pharmacy Jobs |
Back to previous page | More News from Aetna | year 2005 2004 2003 | 2002
RPhlink® is a Pharmacy Management, Pharmacy Consulting, Pharmacy Placement & Staffing Firm
© 1996-2006 RPhLink.com The Pharmaceutical Care Network! is designed and published by RPhLink. Inc. All Rights Reserved.
RPhLink.com is designed by RPhs for Pharmacists & Pharmacy Techs. For information use only! Disclaimer.