Electronic cigarettes, also called e-cigarettes, are battery-operated nicotine-delivery devices that resemble tobacco cigarettes. They deliver vapor containing a mixture of nicotine and either propylene glycol or glycerol. E-cigarettes are widely available in retail stores and on the internet in labeled strengths ranging from zero to high levels of nicotine and in flavors such as tobacco, mint, coffee, cherry, bubblegum, and chocolate. They are advertised as a healthier alternative to smoking a tobacco cigarette and, although not FDA-approved, as a smoking cessation tool.

This article includes recommendations for management of most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV and viral hepatitis. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the FDA (see Table 1).

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), referred to collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are chronic immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. Guidelines for treatment of UC and CD have been updated in recent years

Botulinum toxin type A has been marketed in the USA since 1989 for treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm and has also been used to treat cervical dystonia and some other muscular disorders.

Recently pharmaceutical manufacturers have marketed a stereoisomer of a successful drug nearing patent expiration as a new drug. Examples, such as esomeprazole (Nexium) , levalbuterol (Xopenex), escitalopram (Lexapro) and dexmethylphenidate

Ciprofloxacin, previously available orally (Cipro - Medical Letter, 30:11, 1988) and for ophthalmic use (Ciloxan - Medical Letter, 33:52, May 31, 1991), is now the first fluoroquinolone antibiotic to become available in the USA in an intravenous (IV) formulation. Cipro I.V. (Miles) is being promoted as an alternative to third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and other drugs used for treatment of serious infections.

Palivizumab (Synagis - MedImmune), an injectable monoclonal antibody, has been marketed in the USA since 1999 for prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in high-risk infants and children.

Cefditoren pivoxil (Spectracef — TAP), a new oral third-generation cephalosporin, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections in adults and children 12 or more years old. The drug has been used in Japan for 7 years.

Enfuvirtide (T-20; Fuzeon Trimeris/Roche), the first in a new class of HIV drugs known as fusion inhibitors, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for use with other antiretrovirals in adults and children with viral replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. This review describes the mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics of the new drug, and outlines the results of the 2 clinical studies that led to its approval. Sections on adverse effects, development of resistance, and dosage and cost are also included. The review concludes with an overall assessment of the...

The recent Medical Letter article on vancomycin dosing and monitoring briefly mentioned use of an alternative antibiotic for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. Some readers have asked for more information on this subject.

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