Epistatus (Buccal Midazolam)
This information is for people who live in the UK.
Midazolam (Epistatus) 10mg in 1ml Oromucosal Solution x 5ml is almost out of supply but should be back by early January.
Drugwatch
UK supplies of Lamictal tablets
GSK, the company who manufacture the epilepsy medicine Lamictal, do not have any supplies of the following versions of Lamictal to send out at the moment:
- 25mg and 100mg tablets
- 100mg dispersible tablets
They hope to have supplies available again by the end of November.
If your pharmacist does not have these tablets in stock, you could try taking your prescription to a different pharmacist.
If you are still not able to get hold of your usual version of Lamictal, please get advice from your doctor about what to do.
Epanutin capsules
Update to the previous Drug Watch report on 20 September 2012 about Epanutin capsules.
In the UK Epanutin capsules are now called Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules.
The cost of Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules to the NHS is a lot more than when they were called Epanutin Capsules. This change in cost could lead to some family doctors (GPs) deciding to prescribe a different medicine to Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules.
Epistatus (buccal midazolam)
This information is for people who live in the UK.
Update to previous Drug Watch report of 24 August 2012
Special Products Ltd have advised us that there has been a change to the product description.
The Product description was: Midazolam (Epistatus) 10mg in 1ml Buccal Liquid x 5ml
The product description is now: Midazolam (Epistatus) 10mg in 1ml Oromucosal Solution x 5ml
Fycompa (perampanel)
This is a new epilepsy medicine which was launched on 13 September 2012 by Eisai. It is for people who have seizures that start in just one part of the brain, and that are not controlled by other epilepsy medicines.
Tegretol
Novartis, the company that makes Tegretol, have informed us that Tegretol boxes have a different shape. This means the text on the box needed to be changed slightly. The shape of the blister strips inside the box have also changed to fit the new box. However, there has been no change to the tablets themselves.
Epistatus (buccal midazolam)
Update to previous Drug Watch report of 27 April 2012
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have been advised by Special Products Ltd that they have now made a final change to the syringe and bottle, within the Epistatus packs.
Epistatus (buccal midazolam)
Update to previous Drug Watch report of 18 February 2012
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have been advised by Special Products Ltd that they plan to distribute five batches of Epistatus (buccal midazolam) with the original 1.0ml syringe. The expected distribution dates are April, May, June and July 2012. There will be no further supply of Epistatus with the 1.5ml syringe.
You will be able to recognise the new packs as there will be an over-label stating ‘This pack contains the original 1ml syringe’.
Tegretol Prolonged Release 200mg and 400mg
Changes to the packaging of Tegretol Prolonged Release 200mg and 400mg
From April 2012 the UK packaging of Tegretol Prolonged Release 200mg and 400mg tablets is changing. This is happening because Novartis – who make Tegretol - has changed the site that it uses for packaging Tegretol Prolonged Release tablets. This used to be carried out in the UK, but is now done in Italy in the same plant where the tablets are manufactured. Novartis has reassured us that there are no changes whatsoever to the tablets contained in each packet.
Epistatus – syringe
Following calls to our helpline, we know that in the UK, there have been some manufacturing changes to the syringe used to administer Epistatus (buccal midazolam).The syringe is the same size. However the ‘stopper’ has been taken out which allows the syringe to hold up to 1.5ml.