The FDA has approved ziconotide (Prialt - Elan) intrathecal infusion for management of severe chronic pain in patients who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatments. Ziconotide is a synthetic neuronal N-type calcium channel blocker. It is intended for use with a programmable implanted microinfusion device, but an external microinfusion device can be used temporarily.

Until the recent introduction of febuxostat (Uloric), no new drugs had been marketed for treatment of gout in the past 40 years. Colchicine, which has been available for decades as an unapproved drug, has now been approved by the FDA (Colcrys) for treatment and prophylaxis of gout flares. It was approved earlier only in combination with probenecid (Colbenemid, and others). The goals of gout treatment are three-fold: treating acute disease, preventing flares and reducing uric acid stores.

The FDA has approved Anjeso (Baudax Bio), an IV formulation of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meloxicam, for once-daily treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults. Oral meloxicam (Mobic, and others), which is only indicated for treatment of chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, has been available for 20 years. IV formulations of ketorolac, ibuprofen (Caldolor), and acetaminophen (Ofirmev) are also available for treatment of pain.

The FDA has approved Cabenuva (ViiV Healthcare), an extended-release formulation of the new integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) cabotegravir copackaged with an extended-release formulation of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) rilpivirine, as a once-monthly complete regimen for intramuscular (IM) treatment of adults with HIV-1 infection who are virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA...

The FDA has licensed PreHevbrio (VBI Vaccines), a recombinant, 3-antigen, 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine, for the prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in adults. It has been available in Israel since 2000.

The FDA has approved Xifyrm (Azurity) and Qamzova (Nanjing Delova), two new intravenous (IV) formulations of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meloxicam, for use alone or in combination with non-NSAID analgesics for treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults. Anjeso, the first IV formulation of meloxicam, was discontinued in 2022 for commercial reasons.

In addition to surgery and radiation therapy, a variety of drugs are used both singly and in combination to treat breast cancer. This article summarizes the principles of adjuvant therapy and treatment for metastatic disease. A summary of individual drugs and their adverse effects begins on page 3.

Every pharmaceutical drug is a dose-dependent poison. This article describes the clinical presentation and treatment of some dangerous overdoses commonly reported in adults.

The thiazolidinediones rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos) are peripheral insulin sensitizing agents used to treat hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes; one or the other is often used as a second or third agent with metformin (Glucophage, and others) and/or a sulfonylurea such as glimepiride (Amaryl, and others). A recent report suggested that rosiglitazone may increase the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiovascular mortality.

View the Comparison Table: Triptans for Migraine