Formulary Watch |

White House, FDA act to reduce opioid misuse and abuse

The Obama administration recently unveiled a multiagency plan to reduce the ?epidemic? of prescription drug abuse in the United States. It will include an FDA-backed education program that zeros-in on reducing the misuse and misprescribing of opioids.

Accu-Chek infusion set recalled

Roche recently recalled its Accu-Chek FlexLink Plus infusion sets globally because they may under-deliver insulin to patients.

Transdermal buprenorphine effective for moderate-to-severe chronic low back pain

Transdermal buprenorphine (Butrans Transdermal System, Purdue Pharma) was superior to placebo in treating opioid-naïve patients with moderate-to-severe chronic low back pain, according to study results presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, in National Harbor, Md.

Capsaicin patch reduces neuropathic pain of HIV-associated neuropathy

One 30-minute application of a capsaicin (8%) patch (NGX-4010, Qutenza, NeurogesX) can reduce neuropathic pain due to HIV-associated neuropathy, according to data presented here at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, in National Harbor, Md.

Successful switch to transdermal buprenorphine for OA pain of the hip, knee

Conversion to a 7-day regimen of transdermal buprenorphine (Butrans Transdermal System, Purdue Pharma) from a stable regimen of hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin, Abbott) can be successful in patients with osteoarthritic pain of the hip or knee, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, in National Harbor, Md.

Topical diclofenac beats oral formulation in safety, tolerability

Topical diclofenac is safer and better tolerated by patients with osteoarthritis of the knee compared with the oral formulation, according to data presented here at annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, in National Harbor, Md.

FDA approves rituximab to treat rare disorders

FDA has approved rituximab (Rituxan, Genentech) in combination with glucocorticosteroids for the treatment of 2 forms of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis.

Tocilizumab approved for treatment of SJIA

FDA has approved tocilizumab (Actemra), given alone or in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children 2 years of age and older.

Vaginal progesterone gel reduces rate of preterm birth

The administration of vaginal progesterone from the mid-trimester of pregnancy until term in women with a premature cervical shortening as confirmed by transvaginal ultrasound significantly reduced the rate of preterm birth before 33 weeks gestation, according to a phase 3 study published online April 6 in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

FDA warns about a serious adverse effect associated with the use of benzocaine

FDA issued drug safety communications about a serious adverse effect associated with the use of over-the-counter benzocaine gels, sprays, and liquids applied to the throat and gums to reduce pain.

AHA presents guidelines for managing manifestations of VTE

There are several advanced therapies in addition to blood thinners that physicians should consider when managing patients with deep vein thrombosis, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

FDA approves gabapentin enacarbil for RLS

FDA has approved gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant Extended-Release Tablets, GlaxoSmithKline and XenoPort), a once-daily treatment for moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome, also known as Ekbom disease. It is the first medication in its class to be approved for this condition.

AHRQ report reveals increase in medication side effects and injuries

The number of people treated in U.S. hospitals for illnesses and injuries from taking medicines increased 52%-from 1.2 million to 1.9 million-between 2004 and 2008, according to an April 2011 report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Current and future applications of desirudin: A bivalent, subcutaneous direct thrombin inhibitor

Results of the PREVENT-HIT study suggest that desirudin may be a useful alternative to argatroban in the setting of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. This article reviews the pharmacology and clinical studies of subcutaneous desirudin.

FDA approves Sylatron for injection for adjuvant treatment of melanoma

FDA has approved peginterferon alfa-2b (Sylatron, Merck) for the adjuvant treatment of melanoma with microscopic or gross nodal involvement within 84 days of definitive surgical resection including complete lymphadenectomy.

FDA warns about a serious adverse effect associated with the use of benzocaine

FDA issued drug safety communications about a serious adverse effect associated with the use of over-the-counter benzocaine gels, sprays, and liquids applied to the throat and gums to reduce pain.

Rheumatic disease patients may require 2 doses of flu vaccine

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease may need 2 doses of adjuvanted split influenza A vaccine to elicit the same antibody response as healthy individuals, reported a recent Swiss study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Tiotropium superior to salmeterol in preventing exacerbations in COPD

The anticholinergic drug tiotropium is more effective than the ?2-agonist salmeterol in preventing exacerbations in patients with moderate-to-very-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a multicenter European study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Suppressive therapy manages clopidogrel hypersensitivity

Clopidogrel hypersensitivity, which affects 6% of patients, can be successfully treated using short-course corticosteroids and antihistamines without interrupting drug therapy, reported researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

Combination of ACEI and ARB therapy increases renal risks in elderly

Combining angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors with angiotensin-receptor blockers is associated with increased risk of adverse renal outcomes, according to a recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

FDA won't take action against pharmacies that compound Makena

FDA said it wouldn't take action against compounding pharmacies that continue to supply 17 alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (Makena, KV Pharmaceutical, Ther-Rx).

High-dose clopidogrel does not reduce mortality after PCI

The use of high-dose clopidogrel compared with use of standard-dose clopidogrel does not reduce the incidence of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis among patients with high on-treatment reactivity after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents, according to a recent multicenter study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Vimovo well tolerated by arthritis patients at risk for gastric ulcers

Naproxen/esomeprazole magnesium (Vimovo, AstraZeneca and Pozen) 500/20-mg delayed-release tablets was generally well tolerated in osteoarthritis patients requiring daily NSAID therapy who were at risk for NSAID-associated ulcers, according to an open-label, multicenter phase 3 study.

5α-reductase inhibitors in BPH linked with adverse sexual effects

5?-reductase inhibitors may cause persistent erectile dysfunction, depression, and loss of libido, even after discontinuing use, in men being treated for systems of benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia, according to a literature review published in the March 2011 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Nonadherence to therapy common in SLE

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are commonly nonadherent to therapy, according to a recent study published in the March 2011 issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

FDA issues labeling change for OTC proton pump inhibitors

The risk of fracture is unlikely in patients taking short-term, low-dose proton pump inhibitors, according to a review of available safety data by FDA.

FDA expands approval of shingles vaccine

FDA has approved an expanded age indication for Zoster Vaccine Live, (Zostavax, Merck) for the prevention of herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, in adults ages 50 years and older.

Metformin has highest benefit-risk profile in type 2 diabetes

Evidence supports metformin as a first-line agent to treat type 2 diabetes, according to a study in the March 14, 2011, online edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

FDA approves new treatment for a type of late-stage skin cancer

FDA has approved ipilimumab (Yervoy, Bristol-Myers Squibb) to treat patients with late-stage (metastatic) melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors linked with hypomagnesemia

Prescription proton pump inhibitors may cause hypomagnesemia if taken for prolonged periods of time (in most cases longer than 1 year), according to FDA.