Product News

Epirubicin Hydrochloride Injection

Teva Health Systems (Irvine, CA),part of Teva Pharmaceuticals, recentlyannounced the introduction and availabilityof Epirubicin Hydrochloride Injection.This product is AP-rated toEllence Injection (Pharmacia & Upjohn).Epirubicin Hydrochloride Injection is indicatedas a component of adjuvant therapyin patients with evidence of axillarynode tumor involvement following resectionof primary breast cancer. This productis administered to patients by intravenousinfusion. It is given in repeated 3-to 4-week cycles. The total dose ofEpirubicin Hydrochloride Injection maybe given on Day 1 of each cycle or dividedequally and given on Days 1 and 8 ofeach cycle. Epirubicin HydrochlorideInjection is available in 2 mg/mL, 50 mgand 2 mg/mL, 200 mg in single-dosepolymer vials. For more information, visitwww.tevausa.com, or call 888-TEVA-USA(888-838-2872).

Somatuline Depot (lanreotide) Injection

Tercica Inc (Brisbane, CA) recentlyreceived FDA approval to marketSomatuline Depot Injection 60, 90, and120 mg/mL in the United States. Thisproduct is indicated for the long-termtreatment of acromegalic patients whohave had an inadequate response to surgeryand/or radiotherapy, or for whomsurgery and/or radiotherapy is not anoption. Patients should begin treatmentwith Somatuline Depot Injection 90 mggiven via deep subcutaneous route every4 weeks for 3 months. Thereafter, thedose should be adjusted according to theresponse of the patient as judged by areduction in serum growth hormoneand/or insulin-like growth factor I levels;and/or changes in symptoms of acromegaly.The starting dose in patients withmoderate and severe renal or moderateand severe hepatic impairment shouldbe 60 mg via deep subcutaneous routeevery 4 weeks for 3 months. The productis available in 60-, 90-, and 120-mg sterile,single-use, prefilled syringes. The prefilledsyringes contain a white to pale yellow,semisolid formulation. For moreinformation, call 866-837-2422, or visitwww.somatulinedepot.com.

Totect (dexrazoxane hydrochloride for injection)

TopoTarget USA Inc (Rockaway, NJ),the US subsidiary of TopoTarget A/S,recently announced that Totect is nowavailable to cancer treatment facilitiesthroughout the United States through itsdistributor ASD Healthcare and OncologySupply. Totect is the only FDA-approvedtreatment for extravasation from intravenousanthracycline chemotherapy, theaccidental leakage of chemotherapydrugs into surrounding tissue. The companyreceived FDA approval, under anorphan drug designation, on September6, 2007.Totect should be given once dailyfor 3 consecutive days. The first infusionshould be initiated as soon as possibleand within the first 6 hours after extravasation.The recommended dose is 1000mg/m²on Day 1, 1000 mg/m²on Day 2,and 500 mg/m²on Day 3. The Totect doseshould be reduced by 50% in patientswith creatinine clearance values <40mL/min. This product is available as 500mg dexrazoxane in a single-use vial thatis packaged in a carton consisting of 10vials of dexrazoxane for injection and 10vials 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 fullline of prefilled, ready-to-use 6-mg and12-mg Adenosine Syringes. Adenosineinjection, USP, is the generic equivalent ofAstellas Pharma US Inc's Adenocard, anantiarrhythmic commonly used in thetreatment of paroxysmal supraventriculartachycardia, a rhythm disturbance ofthe heart in critical-care situations. Adenosineworks by slowing the electricalconduction in the heart, slowing heartrate of normalizing heart rhythm. Themost common adverse effects mayinclude facial flushing, shortness ofbreath, and chest pressure. These aregenerally self-limiting and resolve withina few seconds. Less common adverseeffects include transient or prolongedasystole, premature ventricular contractions,and bradycardia. For more information,visit www.sagentpharma.com, orcall 866-625-1618.