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.
New 5-HT3 antagonist relieves chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
September 1st 2003Oncologists will soon be able to offer patients the first 5-HT3 receptor antagonist with an indication for delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The FDA recently approved palonosetron (Aloxi, MGI Pharma/Helsinn Healthcare) injection for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately and highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Palonosetron will be available to patients within the next several weeks.
Many could benefit from BPH drug with unique technology
August 4th 2003Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) will soon have a therapeutic option that uses a unique drug delivery system. The FDA recently approved alfuzosin (UroXatral, Sanofi-Synthelabo) extended-release tablets for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH. Alfuzosin is not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. The manufacturer expects alfuzosin to be available in pharmacies sometime in the second half of 2003.
New biologic for the treatment of NHL packs one-two punch
August 4th 2003Clinicians can now offer their patients with non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma (NHL) therapy that combines targeted radiation with patient-specific dosing. The FDA recently approved tositumomab and iodine I-131 tositumomab (Bexxar, Corixa Corporation/GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of patients with CD20-positive, follicular NHL, with and without transformation, whose disease is refractory to rituxamab (Rituxan, Genentech) and has relapsed following chemotherapy. Training can be requested and orders placed by calling (877) 423-9927. Corixa recently began supplying Bexxar to cancer treatment centers.