E-DRUG: Spate of FDCs in India
------------------------------
[A worrying array of Fixed-Dose-Combinations indeed! The recent attention
for FDCs in TB, malaria and AIDS has given the concept of FDCs a boost, but
drug companies should not make misuse of it! Maybe good to quote the WHO
Expert Committee: "Most essential drugs should be formulated as single
compounds. Fixed-ratio combination products are acceptable only when the
dos-age of each ingredient meets the requirements of a defined population
group and when the combination has a proven advantage over single compounds
administered separately in therapeutic effect, safety or compliance." See
http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/par/edl/trs/trs895.shtml
WB]
Dear E-Druggers,
Off late, plenty of FDCs (Fixed dose combinations) have come into the
Indian market. It could be as a result of lesser new drugs in sight because
of GATT, or could be attempts to introduce something "new", and "first time
in India", or even "first time in the world" ! All this, to impress the
doctors, and get quick sales, and make a quick buck.
I would like to know from E-Druggers in various countries whether the
following FDCs (which are being marketed off late in India) are available
in their countries.
If anyone would like to comment on the rationality and usefulness (or
uselessness) of each combination, it would be most welcome:
Atorvastatin + Amlodipine
Mosapride + Pantoprazole
Tamsulosin + Finasteride
Atorvastatin + Niacin ER
Vitamin + Acetylcystine
Ampicillin + Cloxacillin + Serratiopeptidase + Lactic acid bacilli
Domperidone + Omeprazole
Domperidone + Pantoprazole
Omeprazole + Magaldrate
Pioglitazone + Metformin (Extended Release)
Roxithromycin + Serratiopeptidase
DOmperidone + Ranitidine
Rabeprazole + Domperidon
Clopidogrel + Aspirin
Atorvastatin + Aspirin
Glibenclamide + Metformin + Rosiglitazone
Isosorbide Mononitrate + Aspirin
Ramipril + Amlodipine
Tranexamic acid + mefenamic acid
Alprazolam + Paracetamol
Losartan + Atenolol
Sertraline + Alprazolam
Mebeverine + Alprazolam
Gatifloxacin + Ornidazole
Ofloxacin + Tinidazole + Lactic acid bacilli
Nimesulide + Paracetamol
Nimesulide + Serratiopeptidase
Nimesulide + Tizanidine
Rofecoxib + paracetamol
Rofecoxib + Tizanidine
Valdecoxib + Paracetamol
Valdecoxib + Tizanidine
Ornidazole + Ofloxacin
Ofloxacin + Tinidazole
Famotidine + DOmperidon
Fluroquinole use in children is not advisable. Ciprofloxacin has been
controlled by the FDA, and earlier syrup & DT 100 mg products of
Ciprofloxacin have been withdrawn. However, now following are available in
the market :
Ofloxacin suspension
Ofloxacin + Metronidazole suspension
Ofloxacin + Ornidazole suspension.
Please do not wonder whether any doctors prescribe such products. Huge
numers of them do !
Eagerly awaiting responses,
Raj Vaidya, M.Pharm,
Community Pharmacist,
Hindu Pharmacy,
Cunha Rivara Road, P.B.No. 149,
Panaji - Goa - India 403001.
Tel : 91-832- 2223176, 2432903 (O), 2463926 (R).
Email : pharmhin@sancharnet.in
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