NEW PRODUCT WATCH 1994-12-19

RX PHARMACEUTICALS

NEW INDICATION

Retrovir (zidovudine) from Burroughs Wellcome, Research Triangle Park, N.C., has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent HIV-infected pregnant women from transmitting the virus to their babies. Oral dose is one 100-mg capsule or 2 teaspoonfuls (10 mL) syrup every four hours (600 mg total daily dose) during pregnancy and continuous intravenous infusion during labor.

LEVOXINE CHANGES NAME TO LEVOXYL

Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla., has changed Levoxine (levothroxine sodium) to Levoxyl to prevent confusion with Burroughs Wellcome's Lanoxin (digoxin). Levoxyl is available in 12 strengths. During the transition period, which is based largely on wholesaler pull-through, David Duquette, director of marketing and sales, said pharmacists should still accept prescriptions or refills for Levoxine, but explain to patients that only the brand name, not the drug, has changed.

HOME ONCOLOGY KIT LAUNCHED

Roche Laboratories, Nutley, N.J., has launched a personal care kit free to patients through pharmacies, using Roferon-A (interferon alfa-2a, recombinant) to treat hairy cell leukemia and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. The kit includes a video and brochures to demonstrate step-by-step self-injection and how to store the medication at home.

OTC MEDICATIONS

PRODIUM UNVEILED FOR URINARY TRACT RELIEF

Prodium, from Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Boca Raton, Fla., has been introduced for relief of urinary tract irritations. The tablets contain 95 mg of phenazopyridine hydrochloride and are available in 12- and 30-count packs. Dosing is two tablets three times a day after meals. The tablets produce a reddish-orange discoloration of the urine.

COMBO-PACK TREATS YEAST INFECTION

Mycelex-7, from Miles Consumer Healthcare Products, Elkhart, Ind., is available in a combination pack. The pack features seven individually wrapped inserts and a 7-gram tub of topical cream, each containing clotrimazole, for combating vaginal yeast infections. The inserts treat the infection internally, while the cream relieves external itching and irritation over a seven-day course of therapy.

ARTHRITIS PAIN REMEDIES AVAILABLE

Dr. A Lotion and Dr. A Cream are arthritis pain relief formulas containing oil of wintergreen. The products should be rubbed on the sore area two to three times a day. Developed by Arora Medical Corp., Grundy, Va., Dr. A Cream comes in a 6-ounce jar, and the lotion is available in 4-ounce and 8-ounce bottles.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY TARGETS SNORERS

Y-Snore, distributed by Eastern Europe Inc., New York, is a homeopathic remedy in the form of a nose drop to provide temporary relief of the symptoms of snoring. Dose is two drops per nostril before sleep. Y-Snore is said to increase airflow through the nostrils, relieve congestion and improve breathing. Drops are available in 5-mL bottles.

MEDICAL DEVICES

BEDSIDE COMMODE GOES RETAIL

Rubbermaid's Carex Inc., Newark, N.J., has introduced a bedside commode in a retail package. The height-adjustable commode is a snap-on seat with skid-resistant rubber tips. It is installed using a Phillips head screwdriver and a wrench. Constructed with heavy gauge steel tubing, the commode can support up to 300 pounds. It may also be positioned over the toilet as a safety frame.

A SUPPORT FOR TENNIS ELBOW

Kendall-Futuro, Cincinnati, introduced a tennis elbow support to its FuturoSport line. Made of black neoprene foam, the product relieves elbow and forearm pain. The support should be worn only when participating in activities that cause generalized pain and tenderness in the forearm or elbow. A brochure is also available on when and how to use health supports. Little Comfort are 4 by 5 inches and are packaged three pads in a box.

HOME EAR THERMOMETER AVAILABLE

The HM-2 Instant Thermometer, from Thermoscan, San Diego, is said to be a more economical version of the ear thermometer first introduced for home use by Thermoscan in 1991. HM-2 weighs 6 ounces. A HM-2 Plus version includes a protective travel case, temperature chart and pen.