Citracal Prenatal Drugs Available by Prescription
Citracal Prenatal Rx tablets by Mission Pharmacal are now available by prescription. Citracal Prenatal Rx tablets contain 15 essential vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy pregnancies, according to a company news release. It is the only prenatal vitamin featuring the benefits of Mission's calcium supplement Citracal.

Citracal Prenatal Rx contains greater amounts of folic acid, iron and calcium than do standard multivitamins. It contains calcium citrate, which enhances iron absorption and provides optimal solubility, absorbability and bioavailability of calcium.

Citracal Prenatal Rx also offers a unique dual-iron compound of carbonyl iron and ferrous gluconate, according to the company. Carbonyl iron's slow-release mechanism controls the amount of iron available to the body.

In addition, Citracal Prenatal Rx contains vitamin B₆ to reduce nausea, vitamin A and vitamin E for antioxidant action and docusate sodium, a stool softener to help protect against constipation.

FDA Clears New Dosage of Cholesterol Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the marketing of Baycol (cerivastatin) by Bayer Corp. in a new 0.8 mg dosage. Baycol is indicated for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia, along with an additional indication for raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Baycol is one of the newest statins to be released in the United States, according to a company news release. The 0.8 mg dosage provides further efficacy as a titration dose for patients who need additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering.

In one randomized double-blind trial, patients exhibited a mean LDL cholesterol reduction of 42% after eight weeks of treatment with Baycol 0.8 mg. Reductions of LDL cholesterol in the study ranged from 24% to 58%. Patients with elevated baseline triglycerides greater than 250 mg/dL to 400 mg/dL exhibited a reduction in triglycerides by an average of 30% and showed an average increase in HDL cholesterol of 13%.

Galderma Labs Launches Acne Vulgaris Treatment
Differin Pledgets (adapalene) Solution, 0.1% by Galderma Laboratories is now available for the convenient, easy-to-use topical treatment of acne vulgaris, according to a company news release.

The new treatment consists of compact, individually wrapped, disposable pads that contain single measured doses of the only topical retinoid available in pledget form. Differin Pledgets are supplied in boxes of 60 and are easy to carry and easy to apply to large areas such as the back and the chest. The new product may be especially appealing to active teenagers with oily skin or truncal acne, according to the release.

Healthpoint Unveils Fast-Acting Anti-Itch Cream
Prudoxin (doxepin) Cream 5% is now available from Healthpoint Ltd. Prudoxin is indicated for the short-term (up to eight days) management of moderate itching of atopic dermatitis and lichen simplex chronicus in adults.

Prudoxin Cream's active ingredient works at receptor sites in the skin to inhibit the activation of histamine receptors and subsequent release of chemical substances into the surrounding tissues. Burning, stinging, drowsiness and dry mouth are the most common side effects but are usually mild, according to the release.