4 August 2010

NPS RADAR is a timely publication containing independent, evidence-based assessments of new drugs, new PBS listings and the latest research for doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals.

The following medicines are reviewed in the latest edition:

Gliptins

Sitagliptin (Januvia) and vildagliptin (Galvus) are two drugs from a relatively new class of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors - or ‘gliptins’. Vildagliptin (Galvus) is available on the PBS from 1 August.

Before prescribing these medicines doctors should consider the following:

• Both gliptins provide similar improvements in glycaemic control for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Gliptins are not associated with weight gain or an increased risk of hypoglycaemia.
• The effect of gliptins on diabetes-related complications and mortality is unknown.
• Weight gain or hypoglycaemia can still occur when a gliptin is used with a sulfonylurea
• The long-term benefit–harm profile of gliptins is yet to be established.

Adrenaline autoinjector (Anapen)

Anapen is a new autoinjector for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. Prior to its listing there was only one form of adrenaline autoinjector – the EpiPen brand.

Before prescribing Anapen, doctors should note that Anapen has a substantially different administration technique to that of EpiPen, but has a clinically equivalent effect. Due to the potential for confusion when administering adrenaline in an emergency, patients and carers including schools need to be aware of the differences between the two devices.

Brief reviews of the following medicines are also in this edition of NPS RADAR:

• Paracetamol with caffeine (Panadol Extra) available over the counter from pharmacies
• Colchicine for acute gout: updated information about dosing and drug interactions
• PBS listing of extended-release pramipexole (Sifrol ER) for Parkinson’s disease
• Anakinra (Kineret) to be deleted from the PBS
• Exenatide (Byetta): first in another new class of diabetes drugs

To read the full reviews go to www.nps.org.au/radar

Independent, evidence-based and not-for-profit,NPS enables better decisions about medicines and medical tests. We are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.