Rimantadine hydrochloride (Flumadine - Forest), the alpha-methyl derivative of amantadine (Symmetrel, and others), was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for prevention and treatment of influenza A virus infections in adults and for prevention of influenza in children.

The FDA has approved Eloctate (Biogen), a recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein with an extended half-life, for use in adults and children with hemophilia A. Eloctate is indicated for control and prevention of bleeding episodes, perioperative management, and routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes. It is the first antihemophilic factor VIII Fc fusion protein to be approved for hemophilia A.

The FDA has approved Haegarda (CSL Bering), a human plasma-derived C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH), for prophylaxis against hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adolescents and adults. Haegarda is the fourth C1INH to be approved by the FDA and the second to be approved for HAE prophylaxis. Unlike the other C1INHs, Haegarda is self-administered subcutaneously rather than intravenously.

Influenza is generally a self-limited illness, but pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death can occur, especially in persons at increased risk for influenza complications (see Table 1). Updated information on influenza activity and antiviral resistance is available from the CDC at cdc.gov/flu.

Ganciclovir sodium (Cytovene - Syntex), a synthetic antiviral nucleoside analog, is now available in the USA for intravenous treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in immunocompromised patients. CMV retinitis occurs in 20% to 25% of patients with AIDS.

Echinacea, a plant also called purple coneflower, is widely used as a dietary supplement for prevention and treatment of colds.

The FDA has approved dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera – Biogen Idec), formerly called BG-12, for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is the third oral drug to be approved in recent years for this indication.

The FDA has approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda – Merck), a human programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody, for treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma that has progressed following treatment with ipilimumab (Yervoy) and, if the patient is BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor. It is the fi rst PD-1 inhibitor to be marketed in the US. Nivolumab, another PD-1 inhibitor, is available in Japan. Pembrolizumab was previously known as lambrolizumab.

The FDA has approved Otovel (Arbor), a combination of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin 0.3% and the corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide 0.025%, for otic treatment of acute otitis media with tympanostomy tubes (AOMT) in children ≥6 months old. It is the second fluoroquinolone/corticosteroid combination to be approved for this indication; ciprofloxacin 0.3%/dexamethasone 0.1% (Ciprodex) has been available for many years. In December 2015, a suspension of ciprofloxacin 6% (Otiprio) was approved for otic treatment of bilateral otitis media with effusion in children...

View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation