Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE): SMC review

The  Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th November, 2008 an advice on rivaroxaban (Xarelto): ADVICE: following a full submissionrivaroxaban (Xarelto®) is accepted for use  within NHS Scotland for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery.In three large phase III studies in patients undergoing either total knee […]

Atazanavir (Reyataz) for HIV-1 infection: SMC review

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th December, 2008 an advice on the recently approved protease inhibitor Atazanavir (Reyataz) Atazanavir (Reyataz) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland in antiretroviral treatment naïve HIV-1 infected adults in combination with other antiretroviral medicinal products. The combination of atazanavir and ritonavir was non-inferior to a standard boosted protease inhibitor […]

Nilotinib (Tasigna) for chonic myeloid leukemia: Health Canada evaluation

Information from Health Canada issued October 14, 2008 about the recently approval of nilotinib (Tasugna) On September 9, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) Policy to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. for the drug product Tasigna*. The product was authorized under the NOC/c Policy on the […]

Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) for opioid induced constipation: SMC review

The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 8th December, 2008 an advice on the recently approved opioid antagonist methylnaltrexone ADVICE: following a full submissionMethylnaltrexone  (Relistor)  is  accepted  for  restricted  use  within  NHS  Scotland  for treatment  of  opioid-induced  constipation  in  advanced  illness  patients  who  are  receiving palliative care when response to usual laxative therapy has not been […]

Varenicline (Champix) psychiatric adverse effects: recommendations to patients from Health Canada

Health Canada has issued  an information update about varenicline (Champix), giving some recommendations to patients: Information Update 2009-01 January 6, 2009 For immediate release OTTAWA – Health Canada is reminding Canadians who are taking, or considering taking, the smoking-cessation aid Champix of important safety information for this product. Health Canada is also informing Canadians that […]

Review of nepafenac (Nevanac) ophtalmic suspension

Review form Health Canada of nepafenac (Nevanac) , a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the management of pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery On April 17, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Alcon Canada Inc. for the drug product, NevanacTM (nepafenac) Ophthalmic Suspension. NevanacTM contains the medicinal ingredient nepafenac which is […]

Etravirine (Intelence) review from Health Canada

Information about: etravirine (Intelence) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced adult patients who have failed prior therapy and have HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple antiretroviral agents, including NNRTIs. From Health Canada. On March 27, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Janssen-Ortho Inc. for the drug product Intelence.

Dabigatran (Pradaxa, Pradax) for the prevention of VTE. Mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

Information about dabigatran (Pradaxa in Europe, Pradax in Canada) for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE), from Health Canada. On June 10, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. for the drug product, Pradax. Pradax contains the medicinal ingredient dabigatran etexilate used in its salt form, dabigatran etexilate […]

Sitaxentan (Thelin) for pulmonary hypertension. Australian Prescriber review

From Australian Prescriber: Sitaxentan sodium Thelin (CSL) 100 mg tablets Approved indication: pulmonary hypertension Australian Medicines Handbook section 6.7.2 Pulmonary hypertension results from intimal hypertrophy narrowing small pulmonary arteries. The increase in pulmonary vascular resistance leads to right ventricular failure. Primary pulmonary hypertension is less common than the pulmonary hypertension associated with other conditions such […]

Degarelix (Firmagon) for prostate cancer: now approved by FDA

Related to EMEA’s positive opinion on degarelix (Firmagon) for prostate cancer, FDA issues this press release dated Dec. 29, 2008: FDA Approves Drug for Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the injectable drug degarelix, the first new drug in several years for prostate cancer.  

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