Raleigh, North Carolina-based developer and marketer of prescription medical products Salix Pharmaceuticals has reported that its total product revenue was $60.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to $39.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2007.

The company’s total product revenue for the full year 2008 was $178.8 million compared to $232.9 million for the full year 2007. The decrease in total product revenue for the full year was due to the genericization of COLAZAL on December 28, 2007. XIFAXAN revenue for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $23.8 million, a 40% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. XIFAXAN revenue for the full year 2008 was $79.9 million compared to $64.3 million for the full year 2007, an increase of 24%.

MOVIPREP, OSMOPREP and VISICOL, which comprise its bowel cleansing product line, generated revenue of $21.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to $13.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, a 63% increase. Total product revenue for bowel cleansing product line was $62.9 million for the full year 2008 compared to $47.7 million for the full year 2007, a 32% increase. Total product revenue for the fourth quarter and full year of 2008 includes the initial stocking of APRISO in the amount of $9.1 million.

In August 2008 the company closed a $60 million convertible note offering. Cash and cash equivalents were $120.2 million on December 31, 2008.

Prescription demand for bowel cleansing products grew 17% and 16%, respectively, for the fourth quarter and full year 2008 compared to the corresponding periods of 2007.