The Medical Letter - 2006
Search or Select article below to purchase. Single article price: $45. Order 3 or more at one time and receive a 10% discount.
January 2, 2006 (Issue 1225)
- Statins for High-Risk Patients without Heart Disease or High Cholesterol
The FDA recently approved the use of atorvastatin (Lipitor) to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients without heart disease who have type 2 diabetes plus other risk factors, with or... - A Combination of Oxycodone and Ibuprofen (Combunox) for Pain
A fixed-dose combination of oxycodone 5 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg (Combunox - Forest Laboratories) is now available and is being heavily advertised for short-term treatment of moderate to...
January 16, 2006 (Issue 1226)
- Adacel and Boostrix: Tdap Vaccines for Adolescents and Adults
The FDA has licensed Adacel (Aventis Pasteur) and Boostrix (GlaxoSmithKline), two new combination vaccines that include tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis... - Drugs in the Elderly
The physiologic changes that occur with aging can affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many prescription and over-the-counter drugs, increasing the likelihood of adverse effects. - Chromium Supplementation
Chromium is marketed as a dietary supplement, usually containing 20-500 mcg of a chromium salt. It has been promoted for weight loss, muscle building, and for prevention and treatment of diabetes,...
January 30, 2006 (Issue 1227)
- Pioglitazone/Metformin (Actoplus met)
For patients with diabetes poorly controlled with a single oral drug, addition of a second drug with a different mechanism can be helpful. A fixed-dose combination (Actoplus met - Takeda) of... - A New Indication for Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (Xyrem) in Narcolepsy
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a central-nervous-system depressant notorious for its use in "date rape", was approved by the FDA in 2002 as sodium oxybate (Xyrem - Jazz Pharmaceuticals) for... - Update: Influenza Resistance to Amantadine and Rimantadine
Our article on Antiviral Drugs for Prophylaxis and Treatment of Influenza (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2005;47:93) mentioned possible use of amantadine (Symmetrel, and others) and rimantadine...
February 13, 2006 (Issue 1228)
- Treatment of Community-Associated MRSA Infections
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, which have been a concern for many years, previously occurred primarily in hospitalized patients and those recently treated with... - Nelarabine (Arranon) for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Nelarabine (Arranon - GlaxoSmithKline), a prodrug of the deoxyguanosine analog 9-β-D-arabinofuranosylguanine (ara-G), has been approved by the FDA for treatment of patients with T-cell... - Phosphate Binders
Hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, metastatic calcification and cardiovascular mortality. addition to dietary restriction...
February 27, 2006 (Issue 1229)
- Abatacept (Orencia) for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Atacept (Orencia - Bristol-Myers Squibb), an inhibitor of T-cell activation, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients who have... - Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, a fat-soluble antioxidant also known as ubidecarenone, ubiquinone and CoQ10, is marketed as a dietary supplement in the US, both as a single ingredient and in various combination...
March 13, 2006 (Issue 1230)
- A Levalbuterol Metered-Dose Inhaler (Xopenex HFA) for Asthma
Levalbuterol, the R-isomer of the beta-2 adrenergic agonist albuterol, is now available in the US as a metered-dose inhaler (Xopenex HFA - Sepracor) for treatment of asthma in patients... - Rosiglitazone/Glimepiride (Avandaryl) for Diabetes
Avandaryl, a new fixed-dose tablet combining the thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone (Avandia) and the sulfonylurea glimepiride (Amaryl, and others), was recently approved by the... - In Brief: Hypo- and Hyperglycemia with Gatifloxacin (Tequin)
A study now available on the web site of The New England Journal of Medicine (LY Park-Wyllie et al. Outpatient gatifloxacin therapy and dysglycemia in older adults. www.nejm.org, published online... - In Brief: Exenatide (Byetta) for Weight Loss
Patients may be asking about reports in the lay press that exenatide (Byetta - Med Lett Drugs Ther 2005; 47:45), a synthetic peptide that stimulates release of insulin from pancreatic beta...
March 27, 2006 (Issue 1231)
- Intra-Articular Injections for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Now that glucosamine and chondroitin, 2 favorite over-the-counter remedies for painful osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, have been at least somewhat discredited, some patients will be asking about... - Clobetasol Propionate (Clobex) Spray for Psoriasis
The FDA has approved a new spray formulation of the super-high-potency corticosteroid clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Clobex - Galderma) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in...
April 10, 2006 (Issue 1232)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix) Revisited
Clopidogrel (Plavix - Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb), an oral thienopyridine that inhibits platelet aggregation, is now being advertised directly to the public on television.... - Lenalidomide (Revlimid) for Anemia of Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Lenalidomide (Revlimid - Celgene), a thalidomide analog, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)...
April 24, 2006 (Issue 1233)
- Insulin Glulisine (Apidra) -- A New Rapid-Acting Insulin
Insulin glulisine (Apidra - Sanofi Aventis) is the third rapid-acting insulin analog to be marketed in the US, following insulin lispro (Humalog) and insulin aspart (Novolog).... - Rituximab (Rituxan) for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rituximab (Rituxan - Genentech), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody already marketed for treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is now FDA-approved for use concurrently with methotrexate... - Deferasirox (Exjade): A New Iron Chelator
Deferasirox (Exjade - Novartis), an oral chelating agent, recently received accelerated approval from the FDA as an orphan drug for oral treatment of chronic iron overload due to blood... - In Brief: Telithromycin Hepatotoxicity
Telithromycin (Ketek) is an oral erythromycin derivative FDA-approved for treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia, exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and acute bacterial...
May 8, 2006 (Issue 1234)
- Raloxifene (Evista) for Breast Cancer Prevention in Postmenopausal Women
Preliminary results from a new study, unpublished but reported in a press release from the National Cancer Institute and widely disseminated in the public press, suggest that raloxifene... - Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles for therapeutic purposes into points on the skin known as acupoints. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, these points arefound along... - Invader UGT1A1 Molecular Assay for Irinotecan Toxicity
The FDA has approved a new genetic test to identify patients who may be at increased risk of severe toxicity when treated with the cancer chemotherapy drug irinotecan (Camptosar). The...
May 22, 2006 (Issue 1235)
- Transdermal Selegiline (Emsam)
The FDA recently approved the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) selegiline in a transdermal (patch) formulation (Emsam - Bristol-Myers Squibb/Somerset) for treatment of major depressive... - Anidulafungin (Eraxis) for Candida Infections
Anidulafungin (ay nid yoo la fun jin; Eraxis - Pfizer), a third intravenous echinocandin antifungal, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of esophageal candidiasis, candidemia, and... - In Brief: Sodium Phosphate Colonoscopy Preps
Last year, a Medical Letter article reviewing colonoscopy preparations warned that oral sodium phosphate preparations, such as Fleet Phospho-Soda solution and Visicol tablets, could cause...
June 5, 2006 (Issue 1236)
- Mumps Outbreak Recommendations
A large mumps outbreak that began in Iowa in December 2005 has spread. About 40% of the cases have been in people 18-25 years old, many of whom are college students and had been vaccinated against... - Ranolazine (Ranexa) for Chronic Angina
The FDA has approved the marketing of extended release (ER) ranolazine (Ranexa - CV Therapeutics) for treatment of chronic angina in patients who have not achieved an adequate response with... - Lubiprostone (Amitiza) for Chronic Constipation
The FDA has approved lubiprostone (Amitiza - Sucampo/Takeda), a chloride channel activator, for treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults. The only other prescription drug...
June 19, 2006 (Issue 1237)
- Transdermal Methylphenidates (Daytrana) for ADHD
A transdermal patch formulation of methylphenidate (Daytrana - Noven/Shire) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients ≥ 6... - Conivaptan (Vaprisol) for Hyponatremia
Conivaptan hydrochloride (Vaprisol - Astellas), a vasopressin antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for short-term intravenous (IV) treatment of euvolemic hyponatremia in hospitalized... - In Brief: One Drop or Two
Many prescriptions for eye drops call for instillation of 1-2 drops. But Medical Letter consultants in ophthalmology seem to agree that all eye drops should generally be given in doses of only one...
July 3, 2006 (Issue 1238)
- Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (Revisited)
When the use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases was last reviewed in The Medical Letter, only one placebo-controlled prospective trial was available: the (male)... - Insulin Detemir (Levemir), a New Long-Acting Insulin
Insulin detemir (Levemir - Novo Nordisk) is the second long-acting basal insulin analog to be marketed in the US for treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Detemir differs from human... - A Betamethasone-Calcipotriene Combination for Psoriasis
Taclonex ointment (Warner Chilcott/LEO Pharma), a combination of the vitamin D3 analog calcipotriene 0.005% (Dovonex) and the high-potency corticosteroid betamethasone dipropionate 0.064%,...
July 17, 2006 (Issue 1239)
- Inhaled Insulin (Exubera)
An inhaled, dry-powder formulation of rapid-acting human insulin (Exubera - Pfizer) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. - Fish Oil Supplements
Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential human nutrients. The main dietary source of PUFAs is fatty fish...
July 31, 2006 (Issue 1240)
- In Brief: Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements
The results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of calcium and vitamin D supplements in more than 36,000 postmenopausal women, conducted as part of the Women’s Health Initiative (RD Jackson... - RotaTeq: A New Oral Rotavirus Vaccine
The FDA has recently approved RotaTeq (Merck), an oral live, human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine, for use in infants to prevent rotavirus gastroenteritis, a frequent cause of severe... - Naltrexone (Vivitrol) - A Once Monthly Injection for Alcoholism
An injectable extended-release formulation of the opioid-receptor antagonist naltrexone (Vivitrol - Alkermes/Cephalon) has been approved by the FDA for once-monthly use, along with...
August 14, 2006 (Issue 1241)
- A Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
A recombinant quadrivalent human-papillomavirus-like particle vaccine, Gardasil (Merck), has been approved by the FDA for use in girls and women 9-26 years old to prevent diseases associated... - Varenicline (Chantix) for Tobacco Dependence
Varenicline tartrate (Chantix - Pfizer) is now available for oral treatment of tobacco dependence. Some other drugs for this indication are listed in this article. - Intravenous Ibandronate (Boniva)
Ibandronate (Boniva - Roche) is the first bisphosphonate approved by the FDA for intravenous (IV) treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is given as a bolus injection once... - VariZIG for Prophylaxis After Exposure to Varicella
The US manufacturer of varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG; Massachusetts Public Health Biologic Laboratories, Boston, MA) recently discontinued its production. A Canadian formulation,... - Automated External Defibrillators
Sudden cardiac arrest has a survival rate of about 6% without immediate defibrillation. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public locations such as shopping malls, office...
September 11, 2006 (Issue 1243)
- Herpes Zoster Vaccine (Zostavax)
A live attenuated varicella-zoster vaccine (Zostavax - Merck) has been approved by the FDA for prevention of herpes zoster (HZ; zoster; shingles) in persons ≥60 years old. Each dose of... - Darunavir (Prezista) for HIV Infection
Darunavir (Prezista - Tibotec), a new protease inhibitor, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for use in combination therapy of human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in... - In Brief: Plan B OTC
The FDA has approved over-the-counter (OTC) sales of Plan B (Duramed), an emergency contraceptive package that contains two 0.75-mg tablets of levonorgestrel, to women ≥18 years old.... - In Brief: Atorvastatin for Stroke Prevention
Statins have been shown to reduce the risk of stroke in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease (Treat Guidel Med Lett 2005; 3:15). A recent issue of The New England Journal of Medicine... - In Brief: Natalizumab (Tysabri) Returns
Soon after The Medical Letter first reviewed use of natalizumab (Tysabri – Biogen Idec and Elan) for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2005;...
September 25, 2006 (Issue 1244)
- Three New Oral Contraceptives
Three new combination oral contraceptives (COCs) with shortened hormone-free intervals, Seasonique, Loestrin 24 Fe and Yaz, have recently been approved by the FDA. All 3 are... - A Once-Daily Combination Tablet (Atripla) for HIV
Atripla (Gilead/Bristol-Myers Squibb) is the first once daily, single-tablet combination of 3 antiretroviral drugs for treatment of HIV infection. Each tablet contains 600 mg of the... - A Second Dose of Varicella Vaccine
The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended the addition of a routine second dose of varicella vaccine for children
October 9, 2006 (Issue 1245)
- Influenza Vaccine 2006-2007
Superseded by The Medical Letter "Influenza Vaccine for 2020-2021" - Issue 1607, September 21, 2020Annual immunization against influenza A and B is the most effective method of preventing... - A Progestin Implant (Implanon) for Long-Term Contraception
Implanon (Organon), an implantable contraceptive containing the progestin etonogestrel, has been approved by the FDA. Two other implantable contraceptives, Norplant and Jadelle,...
October 23, 2006 (Issue 1246)
- Ranibizumab (Lucentis) for Macular Degeneration
The FDA has approved ranibizumab (Lucentis - Genentech) as an intravitreal injection for treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ranibizumab is a derivative of... - Antiviral Drugs for Prophylaxis and Treatment of Influenza
Superseded by The Medical Letter "Antiviral Drugs for Influenza for 2020-2021" - Issue 1610, November 2, 2020Antiviral drugs can be used to control institutional influenza outbreaks and for... - Addendum: Influenza Vaccine 2006-2007
Superseded by The Medical Letter "Influenza Vaccine for 2020-2021" - Issue 1607, September 21, 2020Since the publication of our article on influenza vaccine (October 9, 2006), a fourth...
November 6, 2006 (Issue 1247)
- Treatment of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease (CDAD)
The gram-positive anaerobic bacillus Clostridium difficile is the most common identifiable cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The antibiotics most often implicated have been ampicillin,... - Decitabine (Dacogen) for Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Decitabine (Dacogen - MGI Pharma), a pyrimidine nucleoside analog of cytidine, was approved by the FDA as an orphan drug for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a heterogeneous...
November 20, 2006 (Issue 1248)
- Posaconazole (Noxafil) for Invasive Fungal Infections
Posaconazole (Noxafil - Schering-Plough), an oral azole antifungal with a chemical structure similar to that of itraconazole (Sporanox), has been approved by the FDA to prevent Candida... - Extended-Release Minocycline (Solodyn) for Acne
The FDA has approved an extended-release formulation of minocycline (Solodyn - Medicis) for once-daily treatment of non-nodular moderate to severe acne.
December 4, 2006 (Issue 1249)
- Rasagiline (Azilect) for Parkinson's Disease
Rasagiline (Azilect - Teva), a monoamine oxidase-type B (MAO-B) inhibitor, was recently approved by the FDA for once-daily oral treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). It can be taken alone... - The Stretta Procedure for GERD
Standard approaches to therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include lifestyle changes, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and sometimes surgery. Emerging endoscopic anti-reflux... - Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has 6 FDA approved indications and is prescribed off-label for many others. How many of these uses are justified is controversial. - Nabilone (Cesamet) for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Nabilone, an oral synthetic cannabinoid similar to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, has recently been reintroduced to the US market (Cesamet - Valeant)... - 2006 Annual Index (Online Only)
View the 2006 Annual Index