Zonisamide (Zonegran - Elan Pharma), a sulfonamide chemically unrelated to other antiepileptic drugs, has been approved by the FDA for adjunctive use in adults with partial seizures. Zonisamide has been available in Japan for more than 10 years.

The number of cough remedies available in the USA continues to multiply, but most products contain the same or similar ingredients in varying combinations. Most acute coughs do not require treatment with drugs, especially in children, and suppression of a productive cough may be harmful.

Nateglinide (Starlix), a new meglitinide oral glucose-lowering agent, has been approved by the FDA.

Insulin Glargine (Lantus) is a new long-acting human insulin analog approved by the FDA for treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Synthesized by recombinant DNA technology, it differs from human insulin at position 21 in the A-chain where asparagine is replaced by glycine and at the C-terminus of the B-chain where two arginines are added.

A vaccine to prevent both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B (Twinrix), previously licensed in Canada and Europe, is now available in the US for adults.

Valdecoxib (Bextra - Pharmacia/Pfizer), a selective cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitor similar to celecoxib (Celebrex) and rofecoxib (Vioxx), was recently approved by the FDA for treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and primary dysmenorrhea.

Several new treatments are now available for actinic keratoses (AKs), scaly pink papules commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the face, scalp, forearms and dorsal surface of the hands, particularly in the elderly. Some AKs regress spontaneously, but a few may progress to squamous cell carcinoma; the risk of progression has been estimated to be about 0.25% to 1% per year (EWB Jeffes III and EH Tang, Am J Clin Dermatol 2000; 1:167).

Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin -Sanofi-Synthelabo) has been approved by the FDA for use in combination with fluorouracil (5-FU; Adrucil, and others) and leucovorin (LV; Wellcovorin) for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer whose disease has recurred or progressed despite treatment with 5-FU/LV plus irinotecan (Camptosar - Medical Letter 1997; 39:8).

The FDA has approved the marketing of buprenorphine in sublingual tablets (Reckitt Benckiser) both alone (Subutex) and with naloxone (Suboxone) for treatment of opioid dependence. Previously available only for parenteral use in treatment of pain (Buprenex, and others), it offers an alternative to methadone (Dolophine, and others), which is now often abused (New York Times, February 9, 2003; page 1). As a schedule III narcotic, buprenorphine will be subject to fewer prescribing restrictions than a schedule II drug such as methadone (MJ Kreek and FJ Vocci, J Subst Abuse Treat 2002;...

Aripiprazole (Abilify - Bristol-Myers Squibb/Otsuka), a quinolinone derivative, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of schizophrenia.