IV Meloxicam (Anjeso) for Pain
Date: June 29, 2020
Issue #:
1601Summary:
The FDA has approvedAnjeso (Baudax Bio), an IV
formulation of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (NSAID) meloxicam, for once-daily treatment
of moderate to severe pain in adults. Oral meloxicam
(Mobic, and others), which is only indicated
for treatment of chronic pain associated with
osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, has been
available for 20 years. IV formulations of ketorolac,
ibuprofen(Caldolor), and acetaminophen(Ofirmev)
are also available for treatment of pain. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - May 27, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Acetaminophen Acetaminophen Injection Anjeso Caldolor Ibuprofen Ketorolac Meloxicam Mobic NSAIDs Ofirmev Pain Source Type: research
In Brief: Trijardy XR - A New 3-Drug Combination for Type 2 Diabetes
Date: June 1, 2020
Issue #:
1599Summary:
The FDA has approvedTrijardy XR (Boehringer Ingelheim/Lilly), a fixed-dose combination of the sodium-glucose
cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin, the
dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor linagliptin, and
extended-release metformin, for oral treatment of type 2
diabetes in adults. Empagliflozin and linagliptin have been
available in a fixed-dose combination asGlyxambi since
2015, and both have been available in 2-drug combinations
with extended-release metformin for years (see Table 1). (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - May 22, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: empagliflozin Glucophage Glumetza Glyxambi insulin Jardiance Jentadueto linagliptin Metformin Synjardy Tradjenta Trajenta Trijardy type 2 diabetes Source Type: research
Drugs for Atopic Dermatitis
Date: June 15, 2020
Issue #:
1600Summary:
Atopic dermatitis (AD; also known as eczema) is
frequently associated with other atopic disorders
such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergy. It
commonly presents in infancy and early childhood
and has a relapsing course, often improving by
adolescence, but sometimes persisting into (or first
appearing in) adulthood or even old age. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - May 12, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: abrocitinib Alclometasone Amcinonide ApexiCon apremilast Atopic dermatitis Azasan Azathioprine baricitinib Betamethasone Clobetasol Clobex Clocortolone Cloderm Cordran corticosteroids crisaborole Cutivate Cyclosporine Source Type: research
In Brief: Respiratory Depression with Gabapentinoids
Date: June 1, 2020
Issue #:
1599Summary:
The FDA has required new warnings in the labels of
gabapentin (Neurontin, and others) and pregabalin (Lyrica,Lyrica CR, and generics) about the risk of life-threatening or
fatal respiratory depression in patients with respiratory risk
factors. Respiratory risk factors include chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) and concurrent use of opioids
or other CNS depressants. Elderly patients are also at
increased risk. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - May 12, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: COPD Drug Safety Gabapentin Lyrica Neurontin Opioids Pregabalin Source Type: research
Cetirizine Ophthalmic Solution (Zerviate) for Allergic Conjunctivitis
Date: June 1, 2020
Issue #:
1599Summary:
A 0.24% ophthalmic solution of the second-generation
H1-antihistamine cetirizine (Zerviate– Eyevance) is now
available by prescription for treatment of ocular itching
associated with allergic conjunctivitis in patients ≥2
years old. Oral cetirizine (Zyrtec, and others), which is
used for treatment of allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis,
has been available over the counter (OTC) for years. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 29, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Acular Alaway Alcaftadine Allergic rhinitis Alocril Alomide nedocromil Antihistamines azelastine Bepotastine Bepreve cetirizine Clear Eyes Conjunctivitis corticosteroids Cromolyn Epinastine Ketorolac Ketotifen Lastacaft Source Type: research
Talicia - A 3-Drug Combination for Helicobacter pylori Infection
Date: June 1, 2020
Issue #:
1599Summary:
The FDA has approved a fixed-dose combination
of omeprazole, amoxicillin, and rifabutin (Talicia–
RedHill) for treatment ofHelicobacter pylori infection
in adults.Talicia is the first rifabutin-based product to
be approved for this indication. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 29, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Amoxicillin Antibacterials Bismuth subsalicylate Clarithromycin Helicobacter pylori infection Levofloxacin metronidazole Omeprazole Proton pump inhibitors Rifabutin Talicia Tetracycline Tinidazole Source Type: research
Drugs Past Their Expiration Date
Date: July 27, 2020
Issue #:
1603Summary:
Healthcare providers are often asked if drugs can
be used past their expiration date. Because of legal
restrictions and liability concerns, manufacturers do
not sanction such use and usually do not comment
on the safety or effectiveness of their products beyond
the date on the label. Since our last article on this
subject, more data have become available. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 29, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Adrenaclick Amphetamine Antiviral drugs Aspirin Atropine Auvi-Q Drug Safety Epinephrine Epipen Naloxone Oseltamivir Relenza Tamiflu Tetracyclines Zanamivir Source Type: research
Eptinezumab (Vyepti) for Migraine Prevention
Date: June 1, 2020
Issue #:
1599Summary:
The FDA has approved eptinezumab-jjmr (Vyepti–
Lundbeck), a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)
antagonist administered IV once every 3 months, for
migraine prevention in adults. It is the fourth monoclonal
antibody to be approved for this indication; erenumab
(Aimovig), fremanezumab(Ajovy), and galcanezumab
(Emgality), which are all given subcutaneously once
monthly (fremanezumab can also be given once every 3
months), were approved earlier. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 29, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Aimovig Ajovy Amitriptyline Atacand Atenolol Beta blockers Bisoprolol Botox Candesartan Corgard Cymbalta Depakote Duloxetine Effexor Emgality Epival eptinezumab erenumab fremanezumab galcanezumab Inderal Lopressor Source Type: research
Drugs for Hypertension
Date: May 18, 2020
Issue #:
1598Summary:
Drugs available for treatment of chronic hypertension
and their dosages, adverse effects, and costs are
listed in the tables. Treatment
of hypertensive urgencies and emergencies is not
discussed here. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 29, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Accupril Accuretic ACE inhibitors Acebutolol Adalat Aldactone aliskiren Altace Amiloride Amlodipine ARBs Atacand Atenolol Avalide Avapro azilsartan benazapril Benicar Beta blockers Betaxolol Bisoprolol Bumetanide Source Type: research
Rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) for Acute Treatment of Migraine
Date: May 4, 2020
Issue #:
1597Summary:
The FDA has approved an orally disintegrating tablet
(ODT) formulation of rimegepant (Nurtec ODT–
Biohaven), a small-molecule calcitonin gene-related
peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist ( " gepant " ), for
acute treatment of migraine with or without aura
in adults. Rimegepant is the second oral gepant to
become available in the US; ubrogepant(Ubrelvy),
which is approved for the same indication, was the
first. Four parenteral CGRP antagonists, erenumab(Aimovig), fremanezumab(Ajovy), galcanezumab(Emgality), and eptinezumab(Vyepti), are appro...
Source: The Medical Letter - April 14, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Aimovig Ajovy Emgality eptinezumab erenumab fremanezumab galcanezumab Imitrex Migraine NSAIDs Nurtec ODT rimegepant Sumatriptan Ubrelvy ubrogepant Vyepti Source Type: research
In Brief: Neuropsychiatric Events with Montelukast
Date: May 4, 2020
Issue #:
1597Summary:
The FDA is requiring stronger warnings in the labeling of
the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast (Singulair,
and generics) about the risk of suicidal behavior and other
serious neuropsychiatric events associated with its use. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 14, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Accolate Allergic rhinitis Allergies Antihistamines Asthma corticosteroids Drug Safety Montelukast Singulair Zafirlukast Zileuton Zyflo Source Type: research
Intranasal Diazepam (Valtoco) and Midazolam (Nayzilam) for Seizure Clusters
Date: April 20, 2020
Issue #:
1596Summary:
The FDA has approved nasal spray formulations of
the benzodiazepines diazepam (Valtoco— Neurelis)
and midazolam (Nayzilam— UCB) for acute treatment
of intermittent episodes of frequent seizure activity
(seizure clusters). Diazepam rectal gel (Diastat, Diastat
AcuDial, and generics) has been used for this indication
for many years. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 1, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Antiepileptics Diastat Diazepam Midazolam Nayzilam Valtoco Source Type: research
Drugs for Osteoarthritis
Date: April 20, 2020
Issue #:
1596Summary:
Many different drugs are used for treatment of
osteoarthritis pain, but none of them prevent
progression of the disease. Nonpharmacologic
approaches including weight management, exercise,
tai chi, physical therapy, assistive devices, and total
joint arthroplasty can also be used. The American
College of Rheumatology (ACR) has published new
guidelines for the management of osteoarthritis of the
hip, hand, and knee. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 1, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Acetaminophen Advil Aleve Anaprox Aspercreme Aspirin capsaicin Celebrex Celecoxib chondroitin ConZip corticosteroids Cymbalta Cytotec depo-medrol Diclofenac Duloxetine Durela etodolac Fenoprofen Flector Flurbiprof Source Type: research
Some Drugs for COVID-19
Date: April 6, 2020
Issue #:
1595Summary:
The rapid spread and severity of COVID-19 (caused
by SARS-CoV-2) have raised some questions about
use of various drugs in patients with the disease and
whether currently available drugs could be effective
in treating it. Definitive answers are lacking, but some
recommendations can be made. Updated information
on COVID-19 is available from the CDC atwww.cdc.
gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html. (Source: The Medical Letter)
Source: The Medical Letter - April 1, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: ACE inhibitors Acetaminophen Actemra Advil Angiotensin receptor blockers antiretrovirals ARBs Azithromycin Chloroquine Coronavirus corticosteroids HIV Hydroxychloroquine Ibuprofen Kaletra Kevzara Lopinavir Motrin NSAIDs Source Type: research
Intravenous Cetirizine (Quzyttir) for Acute Urticaria
Date: April 6, 2020
Issue #:
1595Summary: Quzyttir (TerSera), an IV formulation of the second-generation
H1-antihistamine cetirizine, has been
approved by the FDA for treatment of acute urticaria in
patients≥6 months old. Oral formulations of cetirizine
(Zyrtec, and others) have been for sale over the counter
for years.Quzyttir is the first parenteral formulation
of a second-generation H1-antihistamine to become
available in the US; parenteral formulations of two
first-generation H1-antihistamines, diphenhydramine
(Benadryl, and others) and hydroxyzine (Vistaril, and
others), have been a...
Source: The Medical Letter - March 27, 2020 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: admin Tags: Aerius Allegra Antihistamines Atarax Benadryl cetirizine Clarinex Claritin Desloratadine diphenhydramine Fexofenadine Hydroxyzine levocetirizine Quzyttir Reactine Urticaria Vistaril Xyzal Zyrtec Source Type: research
