june07pharmagram

Formulary Deletions:

Trimethobenzamide suppository (Tigan®) was ordered to be discontinued by the FDA due to lack of documented efficacy.

Quinine sulfate was ordered discontinued for use in treating nocturnal leg spasms.

Darbepoetin (Aranesp®) formulary deletion was decided because of cost advantages associated with epoetin (Procrit®, Epogen®)

Expanded Formulary Approval:

Bivalrudin (Angiomax®) for thrombus treatment was approved for use in pediatric patients unable to receive heparin or heparin-like products. This drug would be restricted to PICU, PIC and NICU upon the approval of a pediatric hematologist. This drug was previously restricted to use within the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

Approved Autosubstitutions:

Conversion from nebulized bronchodilators to metered dose inhalers by a Respiratory Therapist upon meeting established criteria was approved.

Levalbuterol (Xopenex®) may be substituted to equipotent doses of albuterol (Ventolin®, Proventil®). An order stating “Do not substitute’ will alert the pharmacist not to proceed with interchange of drug products.

Ondansetron (Zofran®) substituted frequency for adults has been changed to every 12 hours if ordered more frequently and if not related to chemo- or radiation therapy. The substituted dose frequency of every 8 hours will remain the same for pediatric patients. Also, the automatic 48-hour stop has been discontinued.

Darbepoetin (Aranesp®) may be substituted to equivalent doses of epoetin (Procrit®, Epogen®)

Controlled-release carvedilol (Coreg CR®) substitution to the regular-release formulation was approved (Coreg®).