Quazepam (Doral - Baker Cummins, Wallace) is a trifluoroethyl benzodiazepine made by Schering and approved in 1985 by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of insomnia. Like other benzodiazepines, it is a Schedule IV controlled substance.Quazepam (Doral - Baker Cummins, Wallace) is a trifluoroethyl benzodiazepine made by Schering and approved in 1985 by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of insomnia. Like other benzodiazepines, it is a Schedule IV controlled substance.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2; Proleukin - Cetus), a lymphokine that stimulates growth of T lymphocytes, is available from the National Cancer Institute on an investigational basis for treatment of renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Although recently released in many European countries, the drug has not been approved for marketing by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The enzyme alpha-galactosidase (Beano - AkPharma), derived from a mold and classified as a food, is sold without presecription in pharmacies and food stores. The manufacturer recommends taking the anzyme to decrease intestinal gas producted by eating the high-fiber diets now widely recommended in the USA.

Indium 111 In-satumomab pendetide (CYT-103, OncoScint CR/OV Kit - Cytogen), a new intravenous imaging agent, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for detection of extrahepatic spread of colorectal and ovarian tumors.

Pegaspargase (peg as par jase; PEG-L-asparaginase; Oncaspar - Rh ne-Poulenc Rorer), a polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugate of L-asparaginase, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common malignancy of childhood. The new drug is recommended only for patients who have had allergic reactions to asparaginase. Asparaginase is available commercially as Elspar, which is derived from Escherichia coli. A formulation derived from Erwinia chrysanthemi is available on an investigational basis (Ogden Bioservices,...

Abciximab (ab sik si mab; ReoPro - Centocor), the Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragment of the chimeric human-murine monoclonal antibody 7E3 (c7E3 Fab), has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an adjunct to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or atherectomy (PTCA) to prevent abrupt closure of the treated coronary vessel.

Dexrazoxane (Zinecard - Pharmacia) was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for protection against cardiac toxicity from (Adriamycin, and others) in women with metastatic breast cancer.

Ibutilide fumarate (Corvert - Pharmacia & Upjohn), a new antiarrhythmic drug for intravenous use, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for acute termination of atrial fibrillation or flutter of recent onset.

Bicalutamide (Casodex - Zeneca), an oral nonsteroidal antiandrogen similar to flutamide (Eulexin - Medical Letter, 31:72, 1989), is now available in the USA for treat-ment of advanced prostate cancer. The drug is recommended by the manufacturer for use concurrently with an analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) such as leuprolide (Lupron; Lupron Depot) or goserelin (Zoladex -Medical Letter, 32:102, 1990).

Gastrointestinal gas may cause symptoms when excessive amounts become trapped in the stomach and intestinal tract. Simethicone (Gas-X, Maalox Anti-Gas, Mylanta Gas Relief, Mylicon, Phazyme), sold over-the-counter in capsules, tablets and infant drop formulations, is being heavily advertised to the public for symptomatic treatment of flatulence and gastric bloating. According to a recent press release, 'Phazyme works fast so people can continue living active lives and eating the foods they love without fear of embarrassment.' Products that combine one or more antacids with simethicone...