Zanamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor taken by inhalation, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of influenza. Oseltamivir phosphate, an oral neuraminidase inhibitor, will probably be approved soon.

Echinacea, a plant also called purple coneflower, is widely used as a dietary supplement for prevention and treatment of colds.

While more people than ever are getting tattoos, many come to regret their decision and would like to have them removed. The technology of removing tattoos is much better than it used to be, but still far from perfect. Complete removal of all pigments with restoration of normal skin color and texture is not always possible (M Kuperman-Beade et al, Am J Clin Dermatol 2001; 2:21; GM Lipper and RR Anderson in IM Freedberg et al, eds, Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine 6th ed, New York:McGraw-Hill 2003, page 2508).

The FDA has approved dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera – Biogen Idec), formerly called BG-12, for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is the third oral drug to be approved in recent years for this indication.

Omalizumab (Xolair – Genentech), a recombinant anti-IgE monoclonal antibody FDA-approved for treatment of allergic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and chronic urticaria, has now also been approved for use in conjunction with food allergen avoidance to reduce IgE-mediated food allergic reactions caused by accidental exposure in patients ≥1 year old. Omalizumab is the first drug to be approved in the US to reduce allergic reactions to more than one food. Palforzia, an oral peanut allergen powder, was approved in 2020 to mitigate allergic reactions caused by...

Millions of people now take herbal products and other "dietary supplements." The Physicians' Desk Reference has published a PDR for Herbal Medicines listing their ingredients and indications, and the Drug Topics Red Book lists their prices.

Summer heat waves cause thousands of cases of heat-related illness in the US each year and hundreds of heat-related deaths, especially among the elderly. This review describes the contributing factors, clinical signs, and ways to prevent and treat heat injury.

Many fermented foods contain tyramine as a byproduct formed by the bacterial breakdown of the amino acid tyrosine; it can also be formed by para-hydroxylation of phenylethylamine or dehydroxylation of DOPA and dopamine. Tyramine and some other amines found in food can cause hypertensive reactions in patients taking monoamine oxidase (MAO)inhibitors.

Acrivastine/Pseudoephedrine (Semprex-D) for Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (Burroughs-Wellcome), a combination of acrivastine with pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Acrivastine is a new H 1 -receptor antagonist with a chemical structure similar to that of triprolidine (Actidil, and others) (RN Brogden and D McTavish, Drugs, 41:927, 1991). Pseudoephedrine is an α -adrenergic agonist. The combination is available only by prescription.

Testing for drug use has become increasingly common, not only in health care, but also in drug rehabilitation, in the military, at the workplace, after accidents and in the criminal justice system. Performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids, growth hormone (Genotropin, and others) and erythropoietin (Procrit, Epogen) are not discussed here.