Topical tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) has been used for years to treat skin damaged by chronic exposure to the sun (Medical Letter, 34:28, 1992). First approved by the FDA only for treatment of acne in concentrations ranging from 0.025% to 0.1% (Retin-A, and others), it has now been approved as an 0.05% formulation in an emollient cream base (Renova) for topical treatment of photodamaged skin. In recent years, alpha-hydroxy acids incorporated in some cosmetics have also been promoted as effective in improving the appearance of aging skin.

The FDA has approved Cinvanti (Heron), an IV emulsion formulation of the substance P/neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist aprepitant, for prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in adults. Aprepitant is also available in oral capsule and suspension formulations (Emend, and generics), and fosaprepitant, a prodrug of aprepitant, is available in an IV formulation (Emend for injection).

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two new retinoids for treatment of psoriasis. Tazarotene gel 0.05% and 0.1% (Tazorac - Allergan) is being marketed for topical use in patients with stable, mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. Acitretin (Soriatane - Roche) is being promoted for systemic use in severe psoriasis.

Zolmitriptan (Zomig - Zeneca), a selective serotonin (5-HT1)-receptor agonist, is now available in the USA for oral treatment of migraine headache. Zomitriptan structurally resembles sumatriptan (Imitrex - Medical Letter 34:91, 1992). Drugs currently used for acute treatment of migraine include injectable, oral and nasal spray formulations of sumaptriptan, injectable dihydroergotamine, dihydroergotamine nasal spray, ergotamine tartrate alone or with caffeine, and various analgesics. Anoterh 5-HT1-receptor agonist, naratriptan (Amerge - Gaxo Wellcome), has been approved by the FDA but has not...

Two new formulations of existing drugs were recently approved by the FDA for treatment of male androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride, a steroid 5alpha-reductase inhibitor previously marketed in a 5-mg tablet as Proscar for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (Medical Letter, 34:83, 1992), has now been approved in a 1-mg tablet as Propecia (Merck) for oral treatment of men with male pattern hair loss. Minoxidil, a peripheral vasodilator used to treat hypertension, was previously available over the counter in a 2% topical solution (Rogaine, and others) for treatment of androgenetic alopecia...

About 60% of men ≥60 years old have clinically relevant prostatic enlargement due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The goals of treatment are to decrease lower urinary tract symptoms and to prevent disease progression and complications such as acute urinary retention. The American Urologic Association's guidelines for treatment of BPH were recently updated.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, but cognitive decline is also associated with other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

View the Expanded Table: Some Oral Drugs for Chronic Insomnia

The FDA has approved Dyloject (Hospira), an IV formulation of the NSAID diclofenac sodium, for use in adults. It can be administered alone for treatment of mild to moderate pain or in combination with opioid analgesics for moderate to severe pain. Dyloject is the first injectable formulation of diclofenac to become available in the US.

An oral extended-release formulation of the corticosteroid budesonide (Ortikos – Ferring) is now available for once-daily treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn's disease of the ileum and/or ascending colon in patients ≥8 years old and for maintenance of remission for up to 3 months in adults. Ortikos is the second oral formulation of budesonide to be approved for this indication; Entocort EC, an ileal-release formulation, was the first. A third oral formulation of budesonide (Uceris) is approved for induction of remission in patients with mild to moderate active ulcerative...