Transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic, and others) offers a convenient delivery system for patients with chronic pain1 but it has some drawbacks. One is that exposing the patch to heat, either from an external source, increased exertion or possibly high fever, could increase release of the drug, which might lead to an overdose and fatal respiratory depression.2 A recent article in the NY Times about this problem may have aroused the concerns of some patients using the patches.3First approved for marketing by the FDA in 19914, transdermal fentanyl provides continuous delivery of the drug for about 3...

Perampanel (per am’ pa nel; Fycompa – Eisai), a first-in-class noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients ≥12 years old. New drugs for epilepsy are often initially approved by the FDA as adjunctive treatment for partial seizures.

Cytomegalovirus immune globulin (CMVIG) for intravenous administration is now available in the USA on an investigational basis (FE Young and SL Nightingale, JAMA, 260:224, July 8, 1988) for prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in CMV-seronegative renal transplant recipients who receive a kidney from a seropositive donor. CMVIG contains IgG antibodies from a pool of healthy donors with high titers of antibodies against CMV. The drug can be obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Biologic Laboratories (617-522-3700, extension 264) or the American Red Cross...

To avoid the morbidity and occasional mortality of transurethral resection or open prostatectomy, some urologists are now using balloon dilatation of the prostatic urethra to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Gonadorelin (goe nad oh rell'; in) acetate (Lutrepulse - Ortho), a synthetic decapeptide identical in amino acid sequence to human gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of primary hypothalamic amenorrhea. Gonadorelin hydrochloride (Factrel) was previously available for diagnostic use (Medical Letter, 25:106, 1983). Analogs of GnRH have been used to treat endometriosis and advanced cancer of the prostate (Medical Letter, 27:71, 1985).

Pipecuronium bromide (Arduan - Organon), a long-acting, non-depolarizing neuromuscular agent chemically related to pancuronium (Pavulon; and others), is now available in the USA for use as a skeletal muscle relaxant during general anesthesia and for endotracheal intubation. It is not recommended for procedures that last less than 90 minutes or for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation in intensive care units.

Betaine (Cystadane - Orphan Medical), an orphan drug, has recently been marketed for treatment of homocystinuria, a genetic disorder. Patients with homocystinuria frequently have premature atherosclerosis and thromboembolism, and may also have lens dislocations, skeletal abnormalities and mental retardation (SH Mudd et al in CR Scriver et al, eds, The Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease, 7th ed, New York:McGraw Hill, 1995, page 1279).

Full-page advertisements in The New York Times and other newspapers have promoted use of the Crystal Ear hearing aid as an inexpensive rememdy for people with impaired hearing. Some patients may be asking their physicians about these devices.

The FDA has approved the use of a transcatheter mitral valve device (MitraClip – Abbott) for percutaneous treatment of significant symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation (grade 3-4+) in patients who are at prohibitive risk for mitral valve surgery. It is the first percutaneous nonsurgical treatment approved for this indication.

The FDA has approved Durlaza (New Haven Pharmaceuticals), a 24-hour extended-release (ER) aspirin formulation available only by prescription, for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.