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Download PDFNPS RADAR August 2008 NPS RADAR August 2008
NPS RADAR articles provide timely, independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and research for health professionals.
Find out more about NPS RADAR.
| Title | Why read this |
|---|---|
| NPS RADAR August 2008 NPS RADAR>Full Issue>Health Professional Publication | NPS RADAR articles provide timely, independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and research for health professionals. |
| Lercanidipine with enalapril (Zan-Extra) fixed-dose combination tablets PBS listed for hypertension NPS RADAR>Brief Item>Health Professional Publication | A new fixed-dose combination preparation of lercanidipine with enalapril (Zan-Extra) was PBS listed with a restricted dose range and dose titration cautions. |
| Palliative care drugs added to the Emergency Drug (Doctor’s Bag) Supplies NPS RADAR>Brief Item>Health Professional Publication | New PBS listings enable emergency use of hyoscine butylbromide injection (Buscopan) and clonazepam oral liquid (Rivotril) for palliative care patients. |
| Zolpidem and sleep-related behaviours NPS RADAR>Brief Item>Health Professional Publication | NPS has published a position statement on the zolpidem safety change and to describe its place in insomnia therapy. |
| Rivastigmine (Exelon) patch PBS listed for Alzheimer’s disease NPS RADAR>Brief Item>Health Professional Publication | Rivastigmine transdermal patches (Exelon) were PBS listed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease on 1 July 2008. |
| Change to methotrexate pack sizes due to safety concerns NPS RADAR>Brief Item>Health Professional Publication | On 1 April 2008 a smaller pack size of methotrexate tablets was PBS listed to reduce the chance of accidental overdose. |
| Memantine (Ebixa) for moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease NPS RADAR>Review>Health Professional Publication | Memantine has a different mechanism of action to the cholinesterase inhibitors. It provides modest improvements in cognitive, psychological and behavioural functioning, but the clinical importance of these improvements is yet to be established. |
| Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for major depressive disorder NPS RADAR>Review>Health Professional Publication | Duloxetine is a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant, in the same class as venlafaxine. It provides another treatment option, but does not offer any particular advantages over existing therapies. |
| Escitalopram (Lexapro, Esipram) for generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder (social phobia) NPS RADAR>Review>Health Professional Publication | Escitalopram is the first selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) to be PBS listed for these indications. The listing does not cover mild anxiety states for which other forms of treatment are more appropriate. Patients are eligible for escitalopram on the PBS if they fail non-pharmacological therapies and have a GP Mental Health Care Plan, or have been assessed by a psychiatrist. |
| Sitagliptin (Januvia) for type 2 diabetes mellitus NPS RADAR>Review>Health Professional Publication | Sitagliptin is the first dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor — a new class of oral hypoglycaemic drug — to be listed on the PBS for dual oral therapy with either metformin or a sulfonylurea, when a combination of these drugs is contraindicated or not tolerated. The effect of sitagliptin on diabetes-related complications and mortality is not known. |
| Automatic eGFR reporting — its role in screening for kidney disease and drug-dosing decisions NPS RADAR>Review>Health Professional Publication | Information on the role of automatic eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) reporting in screening for kidney disease and drug-dosing decisions |
| Sitagliptin (Januvia) for type 2 diabetes mellitus — Intolerance and contraindications to metformin NPS RADAR>Web Only Item>Health Professional Publication | Lists adverse effects of and contraindications to metformin, including gastrointestinal symptoms, lactic acidosis, and renal impairment. |
Complete list of all NPS RADAR content.
Find out more about NPS RADAR.
Date published: 2008-08-01 00:00:00
The information contained in this material is derived from a critical analysis of a wide range of authoritative evidence. Any treatment decisions based on this information should be made in the context of clinical circumstances of each patient.
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