Succimer (meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid; DMSA; CHEMET - McNeil), a heavy metal chelator, was recently marketed in the USA for oral treatment of lead poisoning in children.

Estazolam (ProSom - Abbott), a triazolobenzodiazepine derivative similar in structure to alprazolam (Xanax) and triazolam (Halcion), was recently marketed in the USA for treatment of insomnia.

A 0.75% vaginal gel formulation of metronidazole (MetroGel-Vaginal - Curatek) and a 2% vaginal cream formulation of clindamycin phosphate (Cleocin - Upjohn) were recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Seven days' treatment with oral metronidazole, 500 mg b.i.d., has been the usual treatment for this condition, with oral clindamycin, 300 mg b.i.d., as an alternative (JL Thomason et al, Am J Obstet Gynecol, 165:1210, 1991).

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.

Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone - Teva Marion Partners), formerly known as copolymer-l, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Interferon β-1b (Betaseron) and interferon β-1a (Avonex - Medical Letter, 38:63, 1996) were previously approved for this indication.

Olopatadine hydrochloride (Patanol - Alcon), a propilidinedibenzoxypin derivative, has recently been marketed in a 0.1% ophthalmic solution for prevention of itching due to allergic conjunctivitis in adults and children more than three years old. It is the first drug for this indication that both inhibits mast cell degranulation and is a selective histamine H1 receptor antagonist (NA Sharif et al, J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 278:1252, 1996).

Raloxifene (Evista - Lilly), a benzothiophene that acts on estrogen receptors, has recently been marketed for prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Only estrogen (alone or in combination with a progestin) and the bisphosphonate alendronate (Fosamax) were previously approved by the FDA for this indication.

Sibutramine hydrochlorid monohydreate (Meridia - Knoll), which is structurally related to amphetamine, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of obesity. It is classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as a schedule IV controlled substance.

Extracts made from leaves of the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) are available in the uSA as deitary supplements, in France and Germany as licensed drugs and worldwide as herbal remedies for treatment of dementia and many other indications.

Prosorba, an antibody-adsorbing column used with plasmapheresis, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis in patients refractory or intolerant to methotrexate and other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).