newproducts

SOMERSET, N.J. — The Food and Drug

Administration has granted marketing approval for Astepro (azelastine hydrochloride) nasal spray in the

0.15% strength, Meda Pharmaceuticals announced.

The drug is used to relieve symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergies in patients ages 12 years and older. Seasonal and perennial allergies affect some 40 million Americans. In clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse reactions to the drug were bitter taste, nasal discomfort, sneezing, fatigue, headache and somnolence.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Bayer Consumer Care in November introduced Citracal calcium plus heart health. The new formulation, positioned to support both bone and heart health, contains 1,260-mg of calcium per daily dose — more than any other leading brand, according to the company — and has advanced levels of vitamin D to support calcium absorption. It also contains phytosterols, a natural plant ingredient that may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol, the company stated.

“Women need to attend to bone and heart health daily, and this product conveniently allows them to address both of these important health issues at the same time,” stated Angela Vann, senior brand manager for Citracal.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Novartis OTC in November began
shipping Prevacid 24HR, making it the second proton-pump
inhibitor to switch from prescription-only to over-the-counter
status. The switch was approved by the FDA earlier this year.
In 2003, Procter & Gamble successfully launched the first
proton-pump inhibitor switch product, Prilosec OTC. And
just as Prilosec did at the time of its switch, Prevacid 24HR
boasts an already-established core user group, with some 21 mil-
lion patients having taken Prevacid in 2008. It is expected that
many former Prevacid pa- tients will be incentivized by their
insurance carriers to migrate
to Prevacid 24HR, likely by
raising the Rx co-pay higher
than the suggested OTC retail
price. Prevacid 24HR will re-
tail for a suggested $11.99 for
a 14-count pack, according

to Walgreens.com.

winter 2009

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — McNeil Consumer Healthcare launched two new allergy solutions: Children’s Zyrtec Perfect Measure and Zyrtec itchy eye drops.

“There are over 50 million allergy sufferers in the United States, and they all have unique ways of combating their allergies,” stated Rohinish Hooda, VP marketing of upper respiratory at McNeil Consumer Healthcare. “Our goal is to provide a vareity of solutions that will help them manage their allergy symptoms.”

Children’s Zyrtec Perfect Measure is prefilled spoons of Children’s Zyrtec allergy medicine for children ages 6 years and older. The spoons are simple to use and provide accurate dosing.

The new Zyrtec itchy eye drops contain ketotifen fumarate and provide targeted allergy itchy eye relief for up to 12 hours.

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. — McNeil Consumer Healthcare introduced Visine Totality Multi-Symptom Relief — a new eye drop formulated to relieve the seven symptoms associated with eye irritation, including red, burning, watery, itchy, gritty, dry and irritated eyes.

The company also introduced Ultra-soft Visine total eye soothing wipes for cleansing the area around the eyes and removing makeup, debris and such irritants as dust and pollen. The ophthamologist- and dermatologist-tested wipes feature a blend of eight moisturizers, a cooling agent and a gentle cleanser

(Coco-Glucoside) derived from coconut and fruit sugars to sweep away debris. Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, the wipes gently glide around the eyes to soothe the area and deliver clean, fresh, makeup-free eyes.

COOPERSBURG, Pa. — DelCorean launched its homeopathic Cramp 911 fast-acting topical muscle relaxer, marking a potential new indication for topical analgesic shelves.

According to the company, muscle cramps impact people across a broad spectrum of activity and age. As many as 18 million seniors in the United States suffer from chronic muscle cramps, the company noted, and 10% of users of prescription statins suffer from statin-induced muscle cramps as a side effect. Fibromyalgia patients who suffer from chronic muscle pain due to constant muscle contraction also may use the product. When Cramp 911 is applied directly to the affected area, the product offers rapid relief, usually within one to two minutes without the return of the cramp/spasm.

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