The FDA has approved the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of Nasacort Allergy 24HR (Sanofi), a triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray previously available only by prescription as Nasacort AQ. The OTC product, which is scheduled to be marketed in the spring of 2014, will be the first corticosteroid nasal spray that can be purchased without a prescription in the US. Nasacort Allergy 24HR is approved for use in patients ≥2 years old with nasal allergy symptoms.

The FDA has approved the neoadjuvant (preoperative) use of pertuzumab (Perjeta – Genentech) in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin) and docetaxel (Taxotere, and generics) for treatment of locally advanced, inflammatory, or early-stage HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)-positive breast cancer patients with tumors >2 cm in diameter or node-positive disease. Pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel was approved earlier for treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Pertuzumab is the first drug to be approved for neoadjuvant treatment of...

View the Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Abdominal Pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Micafungin sodium (Mycamine - Astellas), the second echinocandin antifungal to become available in the US, has been approved by the FDA for intravenous treatment of esophageal candidiasis and prophylaxis of invasive Candida infections in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Insulin detemir (Levemir - Novo Nordisk) is the second long-acting basal insulin analog to be marketed in the US for treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Detemir differs from human insulin by the elimination of the amino acid threonine in position B30 and the addition of a 14-carbon fatty acid chain at position B29. Insulin glargine (Lantus), the first long-acting insulin analog, has been available since 2001 and is usually given once daily.1 NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting basal insulin given twice daily. Basal insulins are usually combined with prandial doses of a rapid-acting...

Patients with seasonal allergies often experience nasal itching and congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and itchy, watery eyes. Oral, intranasal, and ophthalmic preparations are widely available over the counter (OTC) for relief of symptoms. Prescription products for management of allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are reviewed separately.

Photoplex (Herbert), a new sunscreen formulation containing 7% padimate O and 3% Parsol 1789, is being advertised as the first and only chemical sunscreen with proven absorption throughout the UVB and UVA spectrum.

Previously approved by the FDA for treatment of depression, general anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, duloxetine (Cymbalta – Lilly) has now also been approved for treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

The FDA has approved a fixed-dose combination of the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) azilsartan and the thiazide-like diuretic chlorthalidone as Edarbyclor (Takeda) for treatment of hypertension

The FDA has approved tafluprost ophthalmic solution (Zioptan – Merck), a prostaglandin analog, for reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is being marketed as the first preservative-free topical prostaglandin