IV Amisulpride (Barhemsys) for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Date: December 28, 2020
Issue #:
1614Summary:
The FDA has approved IV amisulpride (Barhemsys–
Acacia), a selective dopamine-2 and -3 (D2/D3) receptor
antagonist, for prevention and treatment of postoperative
nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adults. It is the first
antiemetic to be approved for rescue treatment of
PONV in patients who have symptoms despite receiving
antiemetic prophylaxis. Oral formulations of amisulpride
are available in Europe for treatment of schizophrenia
and acute psychotic episodes. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - November 10, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Aloxi amisulpride Aprepitant Barhemsys Dexamethasone Dimenhydrinate Droperidol Emend Granisetron Histanil ondansetron Palonosetron Phenergan post-operative nausea and vomiting Prochlorperazine Promethazine Scopolamine Tra Source Type: research
Remdesivir (Veklury) for COVID-19
Date: November 30, 2020
Issue #:
1612Summary:
The FDA has approved the antiviral drug remdesivir
(Veklury– Gilead) for IV treatment of COVID-19 in
hospitalized patients who are ≥12 years old and weigh
≥40 kg. Hospitalized children who are<12 years old
or weigh<40 kg can receive remdesivir through an
Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Remdesivir is
the first drug to be approved in the US for treatment
of COVID-19. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - November 10, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Two Drugs for Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer (Enhertu and Tukysa)
Date: November 16, 2020
Issue #:
1611Summary:
The FDA has approved two new drugs for treatment
of previously-treated unresectable or metastatic
human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer: fam-trastuzumab deruxtecannxki
(Enhertu– Daiichi-Sankyo/AstraZeneca), an IV
HER2-directed monoclonal antibody linked to the
topoisomerase I inhibitor DXd, and tucatinib (Tukysa– Seagen), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - November 6, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Minocycline Foam (Zilxi) for Rosacea
Date: November 16, 2020
Issue #:
1611Summary:
The FDA has approved a 1.5% topical foam formulation
of minocycline (Zilxi– Foamix) for treatment of
inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. It is
the only topical minocycline product approved for
this indication. The same manufacturer markets
minocycline foam 4%(Amzeeq) for treatment of acne
in patients≥9 years old. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - November 6, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Comparison Chart: SGLT2 Inhibitors (online only)
Date: November 16, 2020
Issue #:
1611Summary:
View the Comparison Chart: SGLT2 Inhibitors (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - November 6, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Orphengesic Forte - An Old Analgesic Combination Returns
Date: November 16, 2020
Issue #:
1611Summary:
A fixed-dose combination of orphenadrine citrate, aspirin,
and caffeine (Orphengesic Forte– Galt; previously
available asNorgesic Forte) has been approved as
a prescription drug by the FDA for treatment of mild
to moderate pain caused by acute musculoskeletal
disorders. Single-ingredient generic orphenadrine
citrate is available by prescription in oral and injectable
formulations and has been used for years as an adjunct
for treatment of acute musculoskeletal pain.Orphengesic
Forte is being marketed as a non-opioid alternative for
p...
Source: The Medical Letter - October 27, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Empagliflozin (Jardiance) for Heart Failure
Date: November 16, 2020
Issue #:
1611Summary:
In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, the
sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor
empagliflozin (Jardiance– Boehringer Ingelheim/Lilly)
reduced the composite risk of cardiovascular death
or hospitalization for worsening heart failure (HF)
in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection
fraction (HFrEF), whether or not they had type 2
diabetes. To date, empagliflozin has not been
approved by the F DA for such use. The SGLT2 inhibitor
dapagliflozin(Farxiga) was approved by the FDA for
this indication earlier this ye...
Source: The Medical Letter - October 27, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
In Brief: Hydrochlorothiazide and Skin Cancer
Date: November 16, 2020
Issue #:
1611Summary:
The FDA has required the addition of information about
an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (basal
cell carcinoma [BCC] and squamous cell carcinoma
[SCC]) to the labels of products containing the diuretic
hydrochlorothiazide. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - October 27, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Expanded Table: Antiviral Drugs for Influenza (online only)
Date: November 2, 2020
Issue #:
1610Summary:
View the Expanded Table: Antiviral Drugs for Influenza (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - October 27, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
In Brief: New Warnings on NSAID Use in Pregnancy
Date: November 2, 2020
Issue #:
1610Summary:
The FDA has required a new warning in the labels of
prescription and over-the-counter products containing
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) advising
against their use during pregnancy beginning at 20
weeks ’ gestation because of a risk of renal dysfunction
in the fetus that could lead to low amniotic fluid levels
(oligohydramnios) and neonatal renal impairment.
NSAID labels previously warned against use of the drugs
beginning at 30 weeks ' gestation because of a risk for
premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and pers...
Source: The Medical Letter - October 23, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Drugs for Asthma
Date: December 14, 2020
Issue #:
1613Summary:
The goal of asthma treatment is to control symptoms,
prevent exacerbations, and maintain normal lung
function. Management of acute exacerbations
of asthma in the emergency department is not
discussed here. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - October 13, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Large-Volume, Preservative-Free Albuterol Concentrate
Date: November 2, 2020
Issue #:
1610Summary:
The short-acting beta2-agonist albuterol sulfate has
recently become available as a large-volume (20 mL),
preservative-free concentrate (albuterol inhalation
solution 0.5% – Nephron Pharmaceuticals) that
can be used to prepare solutions for administration
of continuous nebulized albuterol (CNA). CNA is
commonly used (off-label) for acute treatment of
severe asthma exacerbations in hospitalized patients,
particularly children. Many hospitals have been
using a 20-mL m ultidose bottle of 0.5% albuterol that
contains the preservative ben...
Source: The Medical Letter - October 13, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
In Brief: New Benzodiazepine Warnings
Date: November 2, 2020
Issue #:
1610Summary:
The FDA now requires boxed warnings in the package
inserts of benzodiazepines describing the potential for
these drugs to be abused and misused and to cause
addiction and physical dependence. Benzodiazepine
labels have contained a boxed warning about a risk of
serious drug interactions with opioids since 2016. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - October 13, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
In Brief: Extended-Release Budesonide (Ortikos) for Crohn's Disease
Date: November 2, 2020
Issue #:
1610Summary:
An oral extended-release formulation of the corticosteroid
budesonide (Ortikos– Ferring) is now available
for once-daily treatment of mild to moderate active
Crohn ' s disease of the ileum and/or ascending colon in
patients ≥8 years old and for maintenance of remission
for up to 3 months in adults.Ortikos is the second oral
formulation of budesonide to be approved for this
indication;Entocort EC, an ileal-release formulation,
was the first. A third oral formulation of budesonide(Uceris) is approved for induction of remission in
pat...
Source: The Medical Letter - October 13, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
Two New Doses of Dulaglutide (Trulicity) for Diabetes
Date: October 19, 2020
Issue #:
1609Summary:
The FDA has approved two additional doses (3 mg
and 4.5 mg) of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
receptor agonist dulaglutide (Trulicity– Lilly) for
treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. Dulaglutide has
been available in 0.75- and 1.5-mg doses for years. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - October 9, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Source Type: research
