Baxter intros 5 new generic injectables

Baxter International is launching five new injectable products.

“These launches demonstrate Baxter’s focus on differentiated products that address unmet patient needs in key therapeutic areas, including anti-infective and anti-hypotensive medications,” said Alok Sonig, executive vice president and group president, of pharmaceuticals, at Baxter. “We are proud to offer important new options for our customers and look forward to continuing to bring new innovations to the market.”

Product launches within Baxter’s Pharmaceuticals portfolio in the U.S. include the following: 

• Norepinephrine bitartrate in 5% dextrose Injection in a new 16 mg/250 ml strength, which is indicated to raise blood pressure in adult patients with severe, acute hypotension. Baxter offers an FDA-approved ready-to-use norepinephrine in dextrose, and now provides norepinephrine in 4 mg/250 ml, 8 mg/250 ml and 16 mg/250 ml strengths.
• Vasopressin in 0.9% sodium chloride Injection, an FDA-approved ready-to-use vasopressin in a flexible container. Vasopressin uses Baxter’s sterile, closed system container, which is collapsible and does not require a vented intravenous set. Manufactured closed drug-delivery systems decrease the need for manual admixture and reduce the possibility of contamination. Vasopressin is indicated to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines. Baxter offers vasopressin in 20 units/100 ml and 40 units/100 ml strengths.

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• Vancomycin injection, in 5% dextrose in new 1.25 g/250 ml and 1.5 g/300 ml strengths. These launches are Baxter’s first frozen ready-to-use offerings in 250 ml and 300 ml volumes. Vancomycin is indicated for serious or severe infections caused by susceptible strains of methicillin-resistant (β-lactam-resistant) staphylococci. Baxter now offers vancomycin in 500 mg/100 ml, 750 mg/150 ml, 1 g/200 ml, 1.25 g/250 ml and 1.5 g/300 ml strengths.
• Ropivacaine hydrochloride Injection, in a ready-to-use, single-dose infusion bag. Ropivacaine is indicated in adults to produce local or regional anesthesia for surgery and for acute pain management. Baxter offers ropivacaine in 200 mg/100 ml and 400 mg/200 ml strengths.
• Regadenoson injection pre-filled syringe, a coronary vasodilator that is commonly used in pharmacologic stress testing. Baxter offers regadenoson in a 0.4 mg/5 ml strength.

Ready-to-use formats of standard concentrations of commonly prescribed drugs may offer operational efficiencies for healthcare providers. Compounding a drug for patient use is a multi-step, manual process that requires oversight by pharmacy staff. A ready-to-use product can simplify the preparation process and support patient safety by reducing the chance of contamination and avoiding potential errors that may occur when medications are compounded, the company said.

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