Levomepromazine (Nozinan) Injections: Supply issue resolved

The supplier there was a brief out of stock of levomepromazine. The new supplier, Max Health, is now supplying the Wockhardt brand (pharmacode 2501902).

2 November 2022: New supplier listed from 1 November. 

Affected product

There was an out of stock of the previous funded brand of levomepromazine hydrochloride (Nozinan) Inj 25 mg per ml, 1 ml ampoule (Pharmacode 549142). 

Schedule listing for Nozinan(external link)

New supplier

From 1 November 2022, Max Health is the new funded brand of levomepromazine. Check the formulation to ensure dosage is correct. We are advised that the product is the same as the original New Zealand Nozinan.

Medsafe datasheet for the Max Health product [PDF](external link)

Alternative products

Pharmac listed two alternative brands during the out of stock, Neuraxpharm and Nozinan s 29. Neither were Medsafe approved and needed to be supplied under section 29 of the Medicines Act. 

Schedule listing for levomepromazine hydrochloride(external link)

(external link)Both listings will remain on the Schedule in the meantime for charging purposes.

Formulation difference

It has been brought to our attention that the recently listed unapproved levomepromazine hydrochloride’s  (brand name Nozinan S29 and Neuraxpharm) have the European formulations which is slightly different to the New Zealand formulation for the registered brand (Nozinan).

The New Zealand and unapproved versions of Nozinan Injection contain the same active ingredient; however, the products differ in strength

 

NZ FORMULATION

GERMAN FORMULATION (unapproved) 2640457

FRENCH FORMULATION (unapproved) 2642840

 

Nozinan 25 mg/mL injection

Neuraxpharm 25 mg/mL Solution for Injection in Ampoule (IM)

Nozinan S29 25 mg/mL Solution for Injection in Ampoule (IM)

Active ingredient

levomepromazine base 22.5 mg/mL

(as levomepromazine hydrochloride 25mg/mL)

levomepromazine base 25.00 mg/mL

(as levomepromazine hydrochloride 27.8 mg/mL)

levomepromazine base 25.00 mg/mL

(as levomepromazine hydrochloride 27.78 mg/mL)

Excipients

Ascorbic acid

Sodium sulphite

Sodium chloride

Water for injections

Ascorbic acid

sodium hydroxide

Sodium chloride

Water for injections

Ascorbic acid

Sodium sulphite

Sodium chloride

Water for injections

Pack size

10 x 1 mL ampoules

5 x 1 mL ampoules

5 x 1 mL ampoules

  • The French and German formulations contain approximately 11% more levomepromazine base than the New Zealand formulation
  • Doses may need to be adjusted when changing to the French or German product
  • Patients will need to be closely monitored to check if further dosage adjustment is necessary 

Who to contact

If you have questions about funding other alternative products, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Pharmacists: Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.