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Formulary Digital Edition June 2009

Depression and its management in children and adolescents; Focus on bucindolol; Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment

Serious ADRs associated with psychotropic use in children

Prescribing psychotropic medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other disorders in children is common around the world, even though serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been reported with the use of these drugs, said speakers at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)/European Society for Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) International Congress on Clinical Pharmacy meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Rivaroxaban superior to enoxaparin in preventing VTE after knee arthroplasty

Results from the Regulation of Coagulation in Orthopaedic Surgery to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism 4 (RECORD4) trial published in Lancet demonstrated that rivaroxaban 10 mg once daily is superior to subcutaneous (SC) enoxaparin in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total knee arthroplasty.

2008 Top branded drugs by total prescriptions and total retail dollars

2008 Top 100 branded drugs by total prescriptions and total retail dollars

2008 Top branded drugs by total prescriptions

Top 100 branded drugs by total prescriptions

2008 Top branded drugs by total retail dollars

2008 Top 100 branded drugs by total dollars spent

Formulary Digital Edition May 2009

Osteoarthritis: A review of treatment options; Focus on liraglutide; Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis

Comparative effectiveness research may shape treatment, coverage decisions

The economic stimulus package approved by Congress in February provides more than $1 billion to support research on competing medical treatments. Although a fairly minor piece of the larger $789 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the provision set off widespread reaction to the possibility that comparative study results may be used to limit coverage of more expensive medicines.

Osteoarthritis: A review of treatment options

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and the leading cause of disability in the United States, especially among older adults. This article reviews nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to management of OA of the knee and hip.

Liraglutide: A human GLP-1 analogue for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that is currently pending FDA approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This agent mimics the actions of food-induced endogenous GLP-1 release, thus causing glucose-dependent increased insulin secretion, decreased glucagon secretion, and reduced appetite and gastric emptying.

First-time generic drug approvals, May 2009

Generic drugs approved by FDA (through May 2009) including drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, levalbuterol, and topiramate

FDA actions in brief, May 2009 (Coartem, Ixiaro, Lexapro, Reclast, Symbyax)

Recent FDA approvals (through May 2009) related to Coartem, Ixiaro, Lexapro, Reclast, and Symbyax

FDA Pipeline preview, May 2009 (budesonide/formoterol, sertindole, quetiapine, saxagliptin, bevacizumab, dronedarone, ofatumumab)

Recent FDA action (through May 2009) related to budesonide/formoterol, sertindole, quetiapine, saxagliptin, bevacizumab, dronedarone, and ofatumumab

Tigecycline (Tygacil): Tetracycline-class antibiotic approved for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

New indication: Tigecycline (Tygacil), a tetracycline-class antibiotic, was approved on March 20, 2009, for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

Everolimus (Afinitor): Antineoplastic agent approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib

New molecular entity: Everolimus (Afinitor), an antineoplastic agent, was approved on March 30, 2009, for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib

Health help 4 u: Mobile telephone technologies come of age

Because so many people nowadays seem to be using cell phones rather than computers and e-mail to stay in touch, telemedicine programs are taking note of this trend and beginning to rely more on mobile phone technology.

Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (May 2009) (PDF)

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Labeling updates and warnings through April 2009 for insulin pens and cartridges

Labeling updates and warnings through April 2009 for insulin pens and cartridges

Parenteral medication errors common in ICUs

In a multinational prospective study published in the BMJ, investigators demonstrated that parenteral medication errors are common occurrences in intensive care units (ICUs), but the number of errors can be reduced through the use of error-reporting and electronic prescribing systems.

Modafinil has potential for abuse and addiction because of increased dopamine levels

In a pilot study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, investigators demonstrated that modafinil blocks dopamine transporters and increases dopamine levels in the brain, suggesting that this agent has the potential for abuse and addiction.

Food and drug safety crises prompt White House, congressional action

The headlines about contaminated heparin and tainted peanuts have put pressure on FDA to improve its methods for detecting unsafe medical and food products and to take swift action when problems emerge. The complaints are prompting the Obama administration to provide more resources for FDA while Congress weighs expanding agency operations and enforcement authority.

Nebulized albuterol versus levalbuterol in pediatric and adult patients: A review

This article reviews the similarities and differences between albuterol (ALB) and levalbuterol (LEV) to provide P&T committees a concise summary of the available literature regarding efficacy, side effects, and cost of these agents.

First-time generic drug approvals, April 2009

Generic drugs approved by FDA (through April 2009) including malathion lotion, 0.5%

FDA Pipeline preview, April 2009 (alglucosidase alfa, bosentan, cetuximab, doxepin, telavancin, quetiapine extended-release, oxycodone/niacin, EUR-1073)

Recent FDA action (through April 2009) related to alglucosidase alfa, bosentan, cetuximab, doxepin, telavancin, quetiapine extended-release, oxycodone/niacin, and EUR-1073

FDA actions in brief, April 2009 (PegIntron, Rebetol, Apidra SoloSTAR, Temodar, Copaxone, Edluar)

Recent FDA approvals (through April 2009) related to PegIntron, Rebetol, Apidra SoloSTAR, Temodar, Copaxone, and Edluar

Clevidipine: An intravenous dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker for the treatment of acute hypertension

Clevidipine is an intravenous (IV) dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker (CCB) that is approved for the reduction of blood pressure (BP) when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. Clevidipine is effective at reducing BP in the emergency room (ER), intensive care unit (ICU), and in the pre-, peri-, and postoperative settings.

Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort): Corticosteroid/LABA combination approved for the maintenance treatment of COPD

New indication: Budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort), a corticosteroid/LABA combination, was approved on February 27, 2009, for the maintenance treatment of COPD

Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of complicated infections (April 2009) (PDF)

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and complicated skin and skin-structure infections.

Formulary Media Information

Clopidogrel plus PPI after hospitalization for ACS leads to increased risk of adverse outcomes

A retrospective cohort study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrated that concomitant use of clopidogrel and a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) after hospital discharge for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and rehospitalization for ACS.