WELLBUTRIN SR
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved marketing a 200-mg formulation of the antidepressant Wellbutrin SR (bupropion HCL) Sustained-Released tablets. This dose will provide patients who currently take 400 mg/d with a more convenient dosage option that reduces the number of tablets required daily. It has been available in pharmacies since mid-July in addition to two existing doses: 100-mg and 150-mg sustained-released tablets.
OVACE WASH
Ovace Wash has been introduced by the Healthpoint Company for the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis. It provides a convenient gentle fragrance-free therapy that can be used as part of the patient's regular facial cleansing routine, enhancing compliance in care. Ovace Wash is a safe nonsteroidal nonirritating formulation that is safe to use around the eyes and does not contain sulfur. Its active ingredient, sodium sulfacetamide, provides a broad spectrum of activity against Pityrosporum ovale as well as both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. For more information on Ovace Wash, call 800-441-8227.
NEW GUIDELINES
The American Pain Society has released new clinical guidelines for the treatment of arthritis pain. These guidelines are the first evidence-based and multidisciplinary guidelines intended for use by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who treat adults and children suffering from arthritis. Copies can be obtained through the American Pain Society's Web site at http://www.ampainsoc.org.
Other guidelines available include Principles of Analgesic Use in the Treatment of Acute Pain and Cancer Pain and A Guideline for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease.
GlaxoSmithKline has introduced the Promise Program. This program offers free rescue medication to eligible patients 12 years of age and older who use Advair Diskus, a long-term maintenance treatment for asthma. It is designed to help people with asthma understand the importance of daily maintenance treatment in preventing asthma symptoms, thus decreasing the need for frequent use of rescue medications that can be a marker of poor asthma control. For more information on the program and program materials, call 877-477-6647 or visit http://www.PromisFromAdvair.com.
Strong and Sure is a continuing education curriculum on osteoporosis developed by a blue-ribbon panel of representatives the nation's leading nursing groups. It also contains vital information to share with patients. Free Continuing Education credits are available. To obtain a copy of this continuing education offering online, go to the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses' Web site at http://www.orthopaedicnurse.org.