Nafarelin acetate (Synarel - Syntex), a synthetic analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of endometriosis. The drug is available only in a nasal spray formulation.

A vaccine to prevent hepatitis A (Havrix - SmithKline Beecham), previously licensed in more than 40 countries, including Canada, is now available in the United States. A similar vaccine manufactured by Merck is investigational in the USA.

Trandolapril (tran doe la pril; Mavik - Knoll) has become the ninth angiotensin-converting- enzyme (ACE) inhibitor to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of hypertension.

Topiramate (Topamax - Ortho-McNeil) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for oral use as an adjunct to other drugs in adult patients with partial seizures. Since this diagnostic category includes the largest number of patients with refractory epilepsy, new drugs with antiepileptic activity are usually tried first for this indication. Topiramate (toe pyre' a mate) is a structurally unique agent chemically related to the D-enantiomer of fructose.

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.

Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumor necrosis factor, has received an accelerated approval from the FDA for intravenous treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease refractory to other medical treatment.

Modafinil (Provigil), a benzhydryl sulfinylacetamide non-amphetamine stimulant that has been used in Europe since 1995, has now been approved by the FDA for treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy.

Veltin Gel (Stiefel), a fixed-dose combination of the antibiotic clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and the retinoid tretinoin 0.025%, has been approved by the FDA for topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients ≥12 years old. Another product containing the same active ingredients (Ziana) has been on the market since 2006.

Alcaftadine (Lastacaft – Allergan), an ophthalmic H₁-antihistamine, has been approved by the FDA for prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis in patients > 2 years old.

Opioids, benzodiazepines, propofol, antipsychotics and dexmedetomidine (Precedex) are frequently used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to manage pain, anxiety, agitation and delirium, and to facilitate procedures such as mechanical ventilation. The use of dexmedetomidine, a centrally-acting selective α₂-receptor agonist approved by the FDA in 1999, has been increasing in recent years. Some new studies comparing it to other drugs for ICU sedation have been published.