Perindopril, the tenth angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor to be marketed in the USA, and telmisartan and eprosartan, the fifth and sixth angiotensin receptor blockers, have recently become available for treatment of hypertension.

Tenecteplase, a recombinant variant of human tissue plasminogen activator, is now available for thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Imatinib mesylate (STI-571; Gleevec - Novartis), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for treatment of all phases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after interferon has failed.

Ertapenem (er ta pen' em; Invanz - Merck), a carbapenem antibacterial with a narrower spectrum of activity than imipenem (Primaxin) or meropenem (Merrem), has been approved by the FDA for once-daily IV treatment of complicated intra-abdominal, urinary tract and skin and skin structure infections, acute pelvic infections, and community-acquired pneumonia.

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.

Olmesartan medoxomil (Benicar - Sankyo), a substituted imidazole, is the seventh oral angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) approved by the FDA for treatment of hypertension.

Treprostinil sodium (tre prost' in il; Remodulin - United Therapeutics), a prostacyclin analogue, has been approved by the FDA for continuous subcutaneous (SC) treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension who have dyspnea on more than minimal exertion (NYHA Class II-IV).

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.