Health Systems Product News

Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate and Betamethasone Acetate Injectable Suspension, USP

PharmaForce, Inc (Columbus, OH) announced the FDA approval for its abbreviated new drug application for betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate injectable suspension, USP. The product is a generic version of Schering Corporation's Celestone Soluspan, and is indicated for intramuscular use in allergic states, dermatologic diseases, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, hematologic disorders, neoplastic diseases, nervous system issues, ophthalmic diseases, renal diseases, respiratory diseases, and rheumatic disorders; intra-articular or soft tissue administration as adjunctive therapy for short-term administration in acute gouty arthritis, acute and subacute bursitis, acute nonspecific tenosynovitis, epicondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and synovitis of osteoarthritis; intralesional administration in patients with alopecia areata, discoid lupus erythematosus, keloids; and localized hypertrophic infiltrated inflammatory lesions of granuloma annulare, lichen planus, neurodermatitis, and psoriatic plaques, and necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum. For more information, visit www.pharmaforceinc.com.

Epirubicin Hydrochloride Injection

Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc (Schaumburg, IL) has launched epirubicin hydrochloride injection. The product, a generic equivalent to Pfizer Oncology's Ellence, is indicated as part of adjuvant therapy in patients with evidence of axillary node tumor involvement following resection of primary breast cancer. Epirubicin hydrochloride injection is latex- and preservative-free, and comes with enhanced labels and packaging that is aimed at reducing medication errors. Epirubicin hydrochloride is an anthracycline cytotoxic agent intended for intravenous administration. It is supplied as a sterile, clear red, ready-to-use solution. The pharmacokinetics of epirubicin hydrochloride injection in pediatric patients have not yet been evaluated. For more information, visit www. sagentpharma.com.

Midazolam Hydrochloride Injection

Baxter Healthcare Corporation (Deerfield, IL) recently introduced new, distinctive labeling for midazolam hydrochloride injection to help reduce medication errors. The new labeling features include a patents-pending tear-off label, requiring clinician intervention prior to administration of the drug, something exclusive to Baxter. One of several dozen drugs categorized by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices as a "high-alert medication" due to the significant patient harm possible if used in error, midazolam hydrochloride injection is an anesthetic indicated for preoperative sedation, anxiolysis, and amnesia preoperatively and for diagnostic, therapeutic, or endoscopic procedures; for the induction of general anesthesia prior to the administration of other anesthetic agents; and as a continuous, intravenous infusion for sedation of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. Visit www.baxter.com for more information.

NeoThrive Enteral Feeding System

Baxa Corporation (Englewood, CO) has introduced its new NeoThrive Enteral Feeding System, paired with a campaign to spread awareness about the dangerous risks of tubing misconnections in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) facilities. Distinct "Enteral Only" orange coloring and a specialty connector alert health care clinicians against intravenous (IV) line errors in NICU feedings. Further ensuring safety, the NeoThrive System comes complete with NeoThrive Enteral Syringes, which are the first syringes designed for enteral feeding only. Their exclusive nonluer tips prevent them from being joined with standard luer connections, and the NeoThrive Enteral Pump only functions with NeoThrive Enteral Syringes, eliminating the risk of using an IV syringe for enteral feeding. For more information, on the NeoThrive Enteral Feeding System, visit www.baxa.com/ neothrive.