The FDA has approved revefenacin (Yupelri – Mylan/Theravance Biopharma), a long-acting antimuscarinic agent (LAMA) administered once daily by standard jet nebulizer, for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Revefenacin is the second nebulized LAMA to be approved for this indication; glycopyrrolate (Lonhala Magnair), which is administered twice daily with a portable handheld nebulizer, was the first.

The recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist anakinra (Kineret – Sobi) has been granted an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for treatment of hospitalized adults with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia who require low- or high-flow supplemental oxygen, are at risk of progressing to severe respiratory failure, and are likely to have elevated plasma levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). Anakinra has been available in the US for years; it is FDA-approved for multiple indications, including rheumatoid arthritis. Assays for suPAR are...

Nabilone (Cesamet - Lilly), a synthetic cannabinoid chemically related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in marijuana, was recently marketed in the USA for oral treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Oral THC itself, known generically as dronabinol (Marinol), is also commercially available as an antiemetic for cancer patients (Medical Letter, 27:97, 1985). Other drugs used for this purpose include metoclopramide (Reglan - Medical Letter, 24:67, 1982), prochlorperazine (Compazine; and others), haloperidol (Haldol; and others), and...

Ofloxacin (Floxin - McNeil, Ortho), a new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, was recently marketed in the USA for oral treatment of various infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. Ofloxacin is the third fluoroquinolone to become available in this country. Norfloxacin (Noroxin - Medical Letter, 29:25, 1987) is marketed only for treatment of urinary tract infections. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro - Medical Letter, 30:11, 1988), like ofloxacin, is approved for use in a variety of infections.

Rapid exposure to altitudes more than 8,000 feet above sea level can cause serious medical problems. Since the last Medical Letter article on this subject (Vol. 30, page 89, 1988), some new information on prevention and treatment of these disorders has been reported.

Enoxacin (en ox' a sin; Penetrex - Rh ne-Poulenc Rorer), a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial for oral use, has now been marketed in the USA for treatment of urinary tract infections and uncomplicated urethral or cervical gonorrhea.

Salmeterol xinafoate (Serevent - Allen & Hanburys), a long-acting β 2 -selective adrenergic agonist for inhalation, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for maintenance treatment of asthma, with or without concurrent use of inhaled corticosteroids. Salmeterol is not recommended for acute treatment of bronchospasm.

Sparfloxacin (Zagam - Rh ne-Poulenc Rorer) and levofloxacin (Levaquin - Ortho-McNeil) are the newest fluoroquinolone antimicrobials to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Sparfloxacin in a once-daily oral preparation is being marketed for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Levofloxacin, which is the active stereoisomer of ofloxacin (Floxin), is available for either oral or parenteral use; it is approved for oncedaily treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis,...

Imatinib mesylate (STI-571; Gleevec - Novartis), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for treatment of all phases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after interferon has failed.

Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of anemia caused by chronic renal disease and will probably also be approved for use in patients with cancer..