Tamiflu® contains the active ingredient oseltamivir, which belongs to a group of medicines named "neuraminidase inhibitors". These medicines prevent the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and so help to ease or prevent the symptoms arising from the influenza virus infection.
Tamiflu® is used for the treatment and prevention of influenza (an infection caused by the influenza virus). It has no effect on the common cold or other respiratory virus infections.
Anexate® is used to reverse benzodiazepine overdose, both suspected and known. It is given to arouse people after surgery or benzodiazepine overdose.
Avastin Roche® is a monoclonal antibody and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-specific angiogenesis.
It can be used in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced colorectal, breast, and lung cancer, in combination with interferon alfa for advanced renal cell cancer and for glioblastoma with progressive disease following prior therapy as single agent.
The active substance of Bondronat®, ibandronic acid, belongs to the group of medicines known as bisphosphonates. It inhibits increased loss of calcium from the bones (bone resorption), thus normalising elevated serum calcium levels. It also prevents bone complications and fractures related to the spread of cancer cells into bone.
It is therefore used for the prevention of skeletal events in patients with breast cancer and bone metastases, and for the treatment of tumour-induced hypercalcemia with or without metastases.
CellCept® belongs to a group of medicines called immunosuppressants. Immunosuppressants are used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, and work by stopping your immune system from reacting to the transplanted organ. There are many different types of medicines used to prevent transplant rejection. CellCept® may be used together with other medicines known as cyclosporin and corticosteroids.
Cymevene® contains the active ingredient ganciclovir. It belongs to a class of medicines used to treat viral infections, and works by stopping certain viruses from growing in the body. Cymevene® acts against cytomegalovirus or CMV (a type of herpes virus). CMV causes infections mainly in people with poor immunity.
Dilatrend® is an alpha and beta adrenergic receptor blocker for use in chronic heart failure, hypertension and angina.
Dormicum® is a derivative of the imidazobenzodiazepine group. It is a short-acting sleep-inducing agent for premedication, sedation as well as for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. It can also be used for the short term treatment of insomnia.
Fuzeon® belongs to a group of medicines called anti-HIV drugs. It acts against HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus which causes AIDS. It is the first in a class of drugs called HIV fusion inhibitors, and works by blocking the entry of HIV into cells that the virus attacks (called CD4 or T cells) in the blood. Fuzeon® is used in combination with other anti-HIV medicines to treat people with HIV.
Herceptin® is a humanised monoclonal antibody designed to specifically target HER2, whose overexpression/gene amplification is an adverse prognostic factor in breast cancer.
It is a treatment for women with breast cancer (both early & metastatic Breast Cancer) whose tumors have too much HER2 protein.
Invirase® is an antiviral agent. It is a member of a class of medicines called protease inhibitors. Invirase® is used for the treatment of patients infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It works by interfering with the viral reproductive cycle.
Konakion MM® belongs to a group of medicines called Vitamin K. Vitamin K substances are used to treat blood clotting problems and work by reversing some of the causes of excessive bleeding. This risk of bleeding is usually caused by too much anticlotting medication (known as anticoagulants).
Kytril® is used in the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
Lariam® belongs to a group of medicines called quinolones. It is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria resistant to other anti-malarial medicines and caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. Lariam® works by killing the parasites that may cause or have caused malaria.
Lexotan® contains the active ingredient bromazepam. It belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. They are thought to work by their action on brain chemicals and is used for anxiety. However, anxiety or tension associated with the normal stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with medicines.
MabThera® eradicates CD20+ cells in lymphoma patients by several distinct mechanisms, and is used to treat patients with the most common forms of cancer of the lymphatic system such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
It can also be used in combination with methotrexate in adult patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after failing one or more treatments with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.
Madopar® belongs to a group of medicines called antiparkinsonian agents. Antiparkinsonian agents are used to treat Parkinson's disease and work on the central nervous system. The symptoms of Parkinson's disease are caused by a deficiency of a substance called dopamine in the nervous system. Madopar® helps to replace this substance. By improving muscle control, Madopar® allows more normal movements of the body.
Mircera®, the first continuous erythropoietin receptor activator is indicated for the treatment of anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It works by increasing the number of red blood cells and haemoglobin level in the blood. Compared with other ESAs, it has different receptor interaction and longer half-life, which means that Mircera® can stay in the body longer and therefore fewer injections are required. For CKD patient on dialysis or not, on any ESA, can be directly switched to a once-monthly maintenance schedule. This allows a sustained and reliable anaemia management.
Neulastim® is the only second generation granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).
This second generation G-CSF is a long-acting G-CSF. G-CSF is produced by the body in the bone marrow and assists in the production of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell. Neutrophils defend the body against infection by destroying bacteria in the blood. Neulastim® helps neutrophils to be more effective.
It is be used to reduce the duration of neutropenia, i.e. decrease in neutrophils following chemotherapy.
Neupogen® is a copy of a substance normally present in your body, called Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor or G-CSF. G-CSF is produced by the body in the bone marrow and assists in the production of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell. Neutrophils defend the body against infection by destroying bacteria in the blood. Neupogen® helps neutrophils to be more effective.
It is can be used to reduce the duration of neutropenia, i.e. decrease in neutrophils following chemotherapy.
Pegasys® contains the active ingredient peginterferon alfa-2a and it belongs to a group of medicines called interferons. Pegasys® is a long-acting interferon. Interferons are proteins that modify the response of the body's immune system to help fight infections and severe disease. Pegasys® is indicated to treat chronic hepatitis C & chronic hepatitis B, which are viral infections of the liver. Pegasys® is used together with another medicine called ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C.
Pulmozyme® contains dornase alfa and is used for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a hereditary disease in which secretions, mainly of the lung passages and pancreas, are affected. However, Pulmozyme® is not a cure for this disease. Dornase alfa is an enzyme and it works by breaking down the thick mucus found in lungs, helping the lungs in patients with CF to function better.
Recormon® contains epoetin beta. It is used to treat patients with symptomatic anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to treat chemotherapy-related anaemia in cancer patients. It works by stimulating the production of red blood cells in exactly the same way as the natural hormone erythropoietin.
Rivotril® drops and tablets are used for the treatment of epilepsy in infants, children and adults. It belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. They are thought to work by their action on brain chemicals.
Roaccutane® is used to treat severe forms of acne. It contains isotretinoin, which is a substance related to Vitamin A, and one of a group of medicines called retinoids. The retinoids work by reducing the amount of the oily substance (i.e. sebum) made by glands in your skin, reducing bacteria, reducing inflammation and opening clogged pores. There are many different types of medicines used to treat acne. Roaccutane® is used for more serious cases.
Rocaltrol® contains calcitriol which occurs naturally in humans and is a biologically active form of vitamin D. It is used to treat people with osteoporosis but can also be prescribed by doctors for the treatment of low blood calcium in patients with renal osteodystrophy (a form of bone disease), hypoparathyroidism (reduced function of the parathyroid glands) and rickets. Rocaltrol® works by improving absorption of calcium from the diet, stimulating growth of healthy bones and reduce bone damage.
Rocephin® is an antibiotic used to treat infections in different parts of the body caused by bacteria. Rocephin® is also used to prevent infections before, during and after surgery. It will not work against infections caused by viruses such as those which cause common cold or flu. Rocephin® belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins. These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria that are causing the infection or by stopping bacteria from growing.
Rohypnol® contains a medicine called flunitrazepam. This belongs to a group of medicines called 'benzodiazepines'.
It is a sleep-inducing agent, used for sleep problems (insomnia), and will be prescribed for as short a time as possible.
Tarceva® contains the active ingredient erlotinib, and it works by preventing the activity of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor. This protein is known to be involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. It is used for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung and pancreatic cancer.
Valcyte® contains the active ingredient valganciclovir. It belongs to a class of medicines used to treat viral infections. Once swallowed, the body rapidly changes valganciclovir to ganciclovir (Cymevene®) which works by stopping certain viruses from growing in the body. Valcyte acts against cytomegalovirus or CMV (a type of herpes virus). CMV causes infections mainly in people with poor immunity.
Vesanoid® contains a medicine called tretinoin. This belongs to a group of medicines called 'retinoids'. These medicines are similar to vitamin A.
Vesanoid® is used to treat a type of blood problem called 'acute promyelocytic leukaemia'. It works by slowing the growth of certain types of diseased blood cells.
Viracept® is an antiviral agent and is a member of a class of medicinal products called protease inhibitors. It is used for the treatment of patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and works by interfering with the viral reproductive cycle. Viracept® should be taken in combination with other medicines that are active against HIV.
Xeloda® works by stopping the growth of cancer cells (cytostatic agents). It is not a cytostatic agent itself, but only after being absorbed by the body is it changed into an active anti-cancer agent (more in tumour tissue than in normal tissue).
Xeloda® is used to treat patients with colorectal, gastric or breast cancer.
Xenical® is used to treat people who are obese (BMI greater or equal to 30 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI greater or equal to 28 kg/m2) with other risk factors (e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood lipid profile). The Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing the weight (in kg) by the height (in metres) squared. Xenical belongs to a group of medicines called lipase inhibitors.
These medicines work by targeting the absorption of dietary fat in your body rather than suppressing your appetite. Dietary fats are large molecules that need to be broken down before they can be absorbed into the body. They are broken down by enzymes called lipases. That is, lipases play an important role in the digestion of dietary fat. When taken with a meal, Xenical® interferes with the activity of these enzymes. This allows about 30% of the fat eaten in the meal to pass through the gut undigested. Therefore, your body cannot store these excess calories as fatty tissue or use them as a source of energy. This helps you to reduce your weight by burning up fat that you are already carrying, maintain your lower weight and minimise any weight regain.
Losing even small amounts of weight and keeping it off produces additional health benefits for you, especially when you are at risk for other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Xenical® can also help to improve risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. If these are not treated, they could lead to other diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.