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.

An automatic, noninvasive, glucose-monitoring device (GlucoWatch Biographer) has been approved for marketing by the FDA. The manufacturer states that it is not meant to replace a regular blood glucose meter.

A transdermal contraceptive patch (Ortho Evra — Ortho-McNeil) has been approved by the FDA. Each 20 cm² patch contains 6 mg of the progestin norelgestromin (the active metabolite of norgestimate) and 0.75 mg of ethinyl estradiol.

Renal colic is a common problem in emergency departments. Stones <5 mm in diameter often pass spontaneously; stones >10 mm in diameter generally do not. The usual treatment for stones that do not pass is ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy or shockwave lithotripsy. Some clinicians have suggested that off-label use of an oral alpha-adrenergic blocker such as tamsulosin (Flomax, and others) or calcium channel blocker such as nifedipine (Procardia XL, and others) could be tried first, with or without a corticosteroid. Both adrenoreceptors and calcium channels may have a role in the...

The FDA has approved abiraterone acetate (Zytiga – Centocor Ortho Biotech) for oral treatment, in combination with prednisone, of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in patients previously treated with docetaxel (Taxotere, and others). It is the first oral drug approved for this indication. Zytiga will compete with cabazitaxel (Jevtana) and sipuleucel-T (Provenge).

The FDA has approved a low-dose formulation of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine mesylate (Brisdelle – Noven Therapeutics) for treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. It is the first non-hormonal therapy to be approved for this indication. Paroxetine mesylate (Pexeva) and paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil, and generics) are marketed in higher doses for treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders.

The FDA has approved a lower-dose epinephrine auto-injector (Auvi-Q 0.1 mg – Kaléo) for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis in children weighing 7.5-15 kg (16.5-33 lbs). It is the first epinephrine auto-injector to be approved for use in infants and toddlers weighing less than 15 kg. Previously, Auvi-Q and other epinephrine auto-injectors were only available in 0.15- and 0.3-mg strengths for patients weighing 15-30 kg or ≥30 kg, respectively.The recommended dose of epinephrine for intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) administration is 0.01 mg/kg. None of the previously available...

The short-acting beta2-agonist albuterol sulfate has recently become available as a large-volume (20 mL), preservative-free concentrate (albuterol inhalation solution 0.5% – Nephron Pharmaceuticals) that can be used to prepare solutions for administration of continuous nebulized albuterol (CNA). CNA is commonly used (off-label) for acute treatment of severe asthma exacerbations in hospitalized patients, particularly children. Many hospitals have been using a 20-mL multidose bottle of 0.5% albuterol that contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAC) for this purpose. Until...

The oral cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib (Verzenio – Lilly), which was approved by the FDA in 2017 for treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer, has now been approved for use in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for adjuvant treatment of patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence and a Ki-67 score ≥20%.

The FDA has approved a transmucosal tablet formulation of fentanyl citrate (Fentora - Cephalon) for management of breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant patients with cancer. An oral transmucosal fentanyl lozenge on a stick (Actiq, and others) is also available for this indication, and is widely used off-label for chronic, non-cancer pain as well.