Drugs for gout are used to reduce the pain and inflammation of acute flares, decrease the frequency of exacerbations, and lower serum urate levels to prevent recurrent flares, development of tophi, and joint damage.

A topical formulation of 0.75% metronidazole gel (MetroGel - Curatek), an antibacterial, antiparasitic agent, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of rosacea.

Patients may be asking their physicians about use of histamine H2-receptor antagonists for treatment and prevention of heartburn. Cimetidine and famotidine have recently been released for over-the-counter sale and are being heavily advertised on television and in the print media.

Tizanidine (Zanaflex - Athena Neurosciences) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for oral treatment of increased muscle tone associated with spasticity. It has been available in Europe and Japan for 12 years as a short-term muscle relaxant.

Bupropion hydrochloride, currently available as an antidepressant (Wellbutrin - Medical Letter, 31:97, 1989; Wellbutrin SR), is now being marketed in a sustainedrelease formulation as Zyban (Glaxo Wellcome) for use as an aid in smoking cessation.

0.5% malathion in 78% isopropanol was recently approved by the FDA for treatment of head lice.

Full-page newspaper advertisements addressed to patients with type 2 diabetes are promoting the convenience of "NEW once-a-day Glucophage XR (metformin HCl extended-release tablets),"and offering a coupon for a free 30-day supply in the month of March.

Zolpidem oral spray (Zolpimist – NovaDel/ECR), a new formulation of the oral hypnotic zolpidem tartrate (Ambien, and others), has been approved by the FDA for short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep.

Results from a double-blind trial suggest that off-label use of the oral antihyperglycemic drug metformin in patients with COVID-19 may decrease the risk of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection ("long COVID").

Pharmacologic management of opioid withdrawal symptoms can reduce the intensity of drug craving and improve treatment retention in patients with opioid use disorder who will receive maintenance treatment. Withdrawal management without subsequent maintenance treatment is associated with high rates of relapse, overdose death, and HIV and/or hepatitis C virus infection. Several guidelines on management of opioid withdrawal are available. Maintenance treatment of opioid use disorder was reviewed in a previous issue.