Drugline is a fortnightly electronic drug bulletin providing information on new medicines, new developments, current affairs, new indications, new PBS listings and deletions and general issues of importance to all health professionals. Click below to view the most recent volumes of Drugline.
Opicapone was added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on 1 February 2023. Opicapone is indicated as adjunctive therapy to a levodopa-decarboxylase inhibitor combination in adults with Parkinson’s disease who experience end-of-dose motor fluctuations….
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The product information documents for a number of hydrochlorothiazide-containing products have recently been updated. These products now contain a special warning regarding reports of acute respiratory toxicity. Acute respiratory toxicity is considered a rare…
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Faricimab has been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Faricimab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits both vascular…
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A third medication, pegcetacoplan, was recently added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to treat paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). This joins the complement C5 inhibitors, eculizumab and ravulizumab, which are also PBS listed for…
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Lorazepam is now available as a solution for injection. Lorazepam is a medium-acting benzodiazepine with an elimination half-life of around 12-16 hours. Lorazepam injection is for acute use only for the following indications: As…
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The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has issued a statement regarding the COVID-19 oral antivirals, molnupiravir (Lagevrio®) and nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid®). This statement makes the following four recommendations for future updates to the…
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