Extended-cycle OC offers more convenience
October 6th 2003Clinicians can soon offer women the convenience of an extended-cycle oral contraceptive (OC). The FDA recently approved levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Seasonale, Barr Laboratories) 0.15 mg/0.03 mg tablets for the prevention of pregnancy. The manufacturer plans a November 1 launch for Seasonale, the first extended-cycle OC to receive FDA approval.
Hear ye: New eardrop packs combo punch
October 6th 2003Clinicians will soon be able to offer the parents of children with common ear infections the first ototopical therapy that combines the antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin and the antiinflammatory properties of dexamethasone. The FDA recently approved ciprofloxacin, 0.3% and dexamethasone, 0.1% (Ciprodex, Alcon) sterile otic suspension for the treatment of acute otitis media due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children age six months and older with tympanostomy tubes. Ciprodex was also approved for the treatment of acute otitis externa due to Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children age six months and older, adults, and older persons.
New therapy for Gaucher disease is first of its kind
October 6th 2003Clinicians who treat persons with Gaucher disease will soon be able to offer their patients the first oral treatment option for this condition to be approved in the U.S. The FDA recently approved miglustat (Zavesca, Actelion Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of adult patients with mild to moderate type I Gaucher disease for whom enzyme replacement therapy is not a therapeutic option. Miglustat will be available to patients later this year.
Men hail first new impotence treatment in five years
September 15th 2003Clinicians will soon be able to offer men with erectile dysfunction (ED) the first drug to be approved in five years for the treatment of this condition. The FDA recently approved vardenafil (Levitra, Bayer/GlaxoSmithKline), which will be available in pharmacies within the next several weeks.