Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor that decreases absorption of fat from the gastrointestinal tract, is now available for treatment of obesity.

Spironolactone, an aldosterone receptor antagonist, has been FDA-approved for many years for treatment of edema, hypertension and primary hyperaldosteronism. Recently, it was reported to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with severe heart failure.

Entacapone (Comtan), a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for adjunctive use with levodopa/carbidopa in patients with Parkinson's disease who have end-of-dose "wearing off"symptoms.

The FDA has approved exemestane, an aromatase inhibitor, for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer that has progressed during treatment with tamoxifen.

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne--CIVA Vision), an injectable drug, is now being used for treatment of age-related macular degeneration. The drug is a benzoporphyrin derivative that, when activated by light in the presence of oxygen, generates highly reactive radicals that damage neovascular endorthelium and occlude the vessels.

Recent reports of inappropriate use and diversion of OxyContin tablets have prompted Purdue Pharma to include a "Black Box Warning"in the product labeling to call attention to the potential for abuse and to reinforce the FDA-approved indication "...for the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around-the-clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time..."

The FDA has added a "black box" warning about the risks of QT prolongation and the potentially fatal torsades de pointes (TdP) ventricular tachycardia to the labeling of droperidol (Inapsine - Akorn), an antiemetic used mostly in anesthesia. The Canadian Health Protection Branch has issued a similar warning. Some anesthesiologists have written to The Medical Letter to express their displeasure with these warnings.

The FDA recently approved the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole magnesium (Prilosec OTC) for over-the-counter use for treatment of frequent heartburn. It will be marketed in late September or early October. Five proton pump inhibitors, including omeprazole, are available by prescription in the US (Medical Letter 2001; 43:36).

An orally dissolving, immediate-release tablet formulation of carbidopa/levodopa (Parcopa - Schwarz) that can be taken without water is now available for treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Melamine present in infant formula and other milk products has been associated with widespread illness and some deaths among infants in China. It was also identified in pet food sold in North America after a large number of pets became ill and some died. In both the infants and the pets, renal injury appeared to be the cause.1Melamine (C3H6N6) is a heterocyclic compound, two-thirds nitrogen by weight, that is slightly soluble in water. When combined with formaldehyde, it forms melamine resin, which has a wide variety of industrial applications including the manufacturing of kitchenware,...