Two new fixed-dose combinations are now available for management of type 2 diabetes. Metaglip (Bristol-Myers Squibb), a combination of metformin and glipizide, is approved for initial therapy or as second-line treatment when control is not adequate on metformin or a sulfonylurea alone. Avandamet (GlaxoSmithKline), a combination of metformin and rosiglitazone, is approved by the FDA only as second-line therapy for patients who are not well controlled on metformin alone, or are already taking both metformin and rosiglitazone. Glucovance (Bristol-Myers Squibb), a combination of metformin and...

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 disorder. Selegiline is also available in an oral formulation (Eldepryl, and others) for treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Ciclesonide (Omnaris - Sepracor/Nycomed), a once daily corticosteroid nasal spray, is now available for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in adults and children ≥6 years old and for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in those ≥12 years old. An orally inhaled formulation of ciclesonide (Alvesco) was recently approved by the FDA for maintenance treatment of asthma, and will be reviewed in a future issue of The Medical Letter

The FDA has approved the complement C5 inhibitor zilucoplan (Zilbrysq – UCB) for once-daily subcutaneous treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive. Zilucoplan is the first complement inhibitor to be approved for treatment of myasthenia gravis that can be self-administered. Two IV complement inhibitors, eculizumab (Soliris) and ravulizumab (Ultomiris), were approved earlier.

Eloctate for Hemophilia A (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2015; 57:143)In the table on page 144, the indications and half-life listed for Nuwiq were erroneously taken from the European package insert. The table has been revised online to reflect the US prescribing information. The cost for Nuwiq has also been updated.A Sumatriptan Patch (Zecuity) for Migraine (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2015; 57:151)In the introduction on page 151, the triptans were referred to as serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonists; they are 5-HT1B/1D-receptor agonists.Download complete U.S. English...

Pioglitazone is the third thiazolidinedione ("glitazone") to be marketed in the USA for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Thiazolidinediones decrease resistance to insulin.

The FDA has approved an oral tablet formulation of deferasirox (Jadenu [ jade' new] – Novartis) for once-daily treatment of chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions (transfusional hemosiderosis) in patients ≥2 years old or chronic iron overload in patients ≥10 years old with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia syndromes. A once-daily, oral tablet for suspension formulation of deferasirox (Exjade) was approved in 2005 for the same indications.1 Jadenu and Exjade are the only once-daily oral formulations for iron chelation available in the US.No new clinical trials were required...

An oral extended-release formulation of the corticosteroid budesonide (Ortikos – Ferring) is now available for once-daily treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn's disease of the ileum and/or ascending colon in patients ≥8 years old and for maintenance of remission for up to 3 months in adults. Ortikos is the second oral formulation of budesonide to be approved for this indication; Entocort EC, an ileal-release formulation, was the first. A third oral formulation of budesonide (Uceris) is approved for induction of remission in patients with mild to moderate active ulcerative...

Levodopa combined with carbidopa (Sinemet) is the treatment of choice for Parkinson's disease (Medical Letter, 30:113, 1988). After prolonged treatment, however, the symptoms of the disease often become difficult to manage. The benefit from each dose becomes shorter (the 'wearing-off' effect), sudden fluctuations occur between mobility and immobility (the 'on-off' phenomenon), and abnormal involuntary movements (dyskinesias) may become frequent. The dopamine agonist bromocriptine (Parlodel) can ameliorate some of these effects. Two new drugs, pergolide (Permax - Lilly), another dopamine...

Levalbuterol, the R-isomer of racemic albuterol, has been approved by the FDA for prevention and treatment of bronchospasm in patients at least 12 years old.