Drugs.com Newsletter Vol 66 - February 2010 RSS News Feeds: http://www.drugs.com/rss.html FEATURED NEWS ------------- Virtually Everyone Should Get a Flu Shot: CDC February 2010 - All Americans 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot each year, a panel of advisers is recommending Read more: http://www.drugs.com/news/virtually-everyone-should-flu-shot-cdc-22859.html NEW DRUG APPROVALS ------------------ The following drugs have recently been approved by the FDA. VPRIV (velaglucerase alfa) for Injection http://www.drugs.com/vpriv.html Date of Approval: February 26, 2010 Treatment for: Gaucher Disease VPRIV Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/vpriv.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-vpriv-gaucher-2029.html Prevnar 13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine) http://www.drugs.com/prevnar-13.html Date of Approval: February 24, 2010 Treatment for: Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis Prevnar 13 Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/prevnar-13.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-prevnar-13-pneumococcal-vaccine-2007.html Cayston (aztreonam lysine) Inhalation Solution http://www.drugs.com/cayston.html Date of Approval: February 22, 2010 Treatment for: Pneumonia with Cystic Fibrosis Cayston Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/cayston.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/u-s-food-administration-approves-cayston-aztreonam-inhalation-solution-improvement-respiratory-2004.html Menveo (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) http://www.drugs.com/menveo.html Date of Approval: February 19, 2010 Treatment for: Meningococcal Meningitis Prophylaxis Menveo Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/menveo.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/novartis-gets-us-approval-menveo-meningitis-vaccine-2002.html Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) http://www.drugs.com/xiaflex.html Date of Approval: February 3, 2010 Treatment for: Dupuytren's Contracture Xiaflex Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/xiaflex.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/auxilium-announces-u-s-food-administration-approval-xiaflex-dupuytren-s-contracture-1981.html Oleptro (trazodone) Extended Release Tablets http://www.drugs.com/oleptro.html Date of Approval: February 2, 2010 Treatment for: Depression Oleptro Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/oleptro.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/labopharm-receives-fda-approval-oleptro-1982.html New Indications and Dosage Forms -------------------------------- Drugs that have gained FDA approval for the treatment of additional diseases/conditions or new dosage forms/regimens. Mirapex (pramipexole dihydrochloride) http://www.drugs.com/mirapex.html New Dosage Form Approved: February 19, 2010 Now Approved: Mirapex ER for Once-Daily Treatment of Early Parkinson's Disease Mirapex Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/mirapex.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-once-daily-mirapex-er-early-parkinson-s-2003.html Norvir (ritonavir) http://www.drugs.com/norvir.html New Formulation Approved: February 10, 2010 Now Approved: Norvir Tablets Norvir Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/norvir.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/abbott-receives-u-s-fda-approval-heat-stable-norvir-ritonavir-1995.html Rituxan (rituximab) Injection for Intravenous Use http://www.drugs.com/rituxan.html New Indication Approved: February 18, 2010 Now Approved for: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Rituxan Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/rituxan.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-rituxan-chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-1999.html Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) Tablets http://www.drugs.com/crestor.html New Indication Approved: February 8, 2010 Now Approved for: Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Crestor Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/crestor.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-crestor-reduce-stroke-heart-attack-risk-1992.html Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) Tablets http://www.drugs.com/benicar.html Patient Population Altered: February 4, 2010 Now Approved for: Children and Adolescents Benicar Drug Information: http://www.drugs.com/benicar.html Press Release: http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/fda-approves-benicar-blood-pressure-children-adolescents-aged-6-16-1994.html First-Time Generic Approvals ---------------------------- First Time Generics are those drug products that have never been approved before as generic drug products and are new generic products to the marketplace. Ibutilide Fumarate Injection 0.1 mg/mL Approved: January 11, 2010 PharmaForce, Inc.; Bioniche Pharma USA LLC.; GeneraMedix Inc. Generic for: Corvert Read more: http://www.drugs.com/generic-approvals.html OTHER DRUG NEWS --------------- Penicillin Allergy Might Not Include Related Antibiotic http://www.drugs.com/news/penicillin-allergy-might-not-include-related-antibiotic-22913.html Current Blood Thinners Face Tough Competition http://www.drugs.com/news/current-blood-thinners-face-tough-competition-22905.html Coffee Drinking May Lower Stroke Risk http://www.drugs.com/news/coffee-drinking-may-lower-stroke-risk-22880.html Doctors Have Many Ways to Say 'No' http://www.drugs.com/news/doctors-have-many-ways-say-no-22793.html New Technology Could Widen Reach of Vaccines http://www.drugs.com/news/new-technology-could-widen-reach-vaccines-22734.html Rising Use of Medical Technologies Extending Americans' Lives http://www.drugs.com/news/rising-medical-technologies-extending-americans-lives-22696.html County-By-County Report Sizes Up Americans' Health http://www.drugs.com/news/county-county-report-sizes-up-americans-health-22684.html Most Americans Think It's Others Who Are Unhealthy http://www.drugs.com/news/most-americans-think-s-others-unhealthy-22653.html Even if You're Careful, Drugs Can End up in Water http://www.drugs.com/news/even-if-you-re-careful-can-end-up-water-22489.html Flawed Autism Study Retracted by Medical Journal http://www.drugs.com/news/flawed-autism-study-retracted-medical-journal-22394.html More news headlines: http://www.drugs.com/news.html FDA MEDWATCH ALERTS -------------------Invirase (saquinavir): Ongoing safety review of clinical trial data http://www.drugs.com/fda/invirase-saquinavir-ongoing-safety-review-clinical-trial-data-12692.html Avandia (rosiglitazone): Ongoing Review of Cardiovascular Safety http://www.drugs.com/fda/avandia-rosiglitazone-ongoing-review-cardiovascular-safety-12691.html FDA Announces New Safety Controls for Long-Acting Beta-Agonists http://www.drugs.com/fda/long-acting-beta-agonists-labas-new-safe-requirements-12689.html FDA Adds Boxed Warning for Exjade (deferasirox) http://www.drugs.com/fda/exjade-deferasirox-boxed-warning-12688.html FDA Warns of Medication Errors - Maalox Total Relief and Maalox Liquid Products http://www.drugs.com/fda/maalox-total-relief-maalox-liquid-products-errors-12687.html FDA Announces New Safety Plan for Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents http://www.drugs.com/fda/erythropoiesis-stimulating-agents-esas-procrit-epogen-aranesp-safety-communication-12686.html Revisions to Prescribing Information for Tysabri (natalizumab) http://www.drugs.com/fda/tysabri-natalizumab-update-healthcare-professional-12683.html More FDA Medwatch Alerts: http://www.drugs.com/fda_alerts.html TOOLS & HELPFUL LINKS --------------------- Community Discussion Forums - We welcome you to share your experiences. http://www.drugs.com/forum/ Medical Encyclopedia - Use this feature to find information on diseases, symptoms, injuries, medical tests and surgical procedures. http://www.drugs.com/enc_index.html Browse by Medical Condition - Use this feature to find drugs or medication related to a condition or therapeutic group. http://www.drugs.com/medical_conditions.html Pill Identifier - The Pill Identifier enables a search for unidentified pills by imprint code or shape/color. http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html Drug Interactions Checker - Increasingly popular as more healthcare professionals and consumers make the effort to seek detailed information on drug-drug and drug-food interactions. http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html New Drugs - All the latest information on FDA Approvals and recent additions to the database. http://www.drugs.com/newdrugs.html News & Articles - Roundup of recent drug-related news and press releases. also latest news from FDA Medwatch service including timely publication of recalls, withdrawals, warnings, and label/packaging changes. http://www.drugs.com/news.html ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER --------------------- Drugs.com is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company. We are dedicated to providing consumers and health professionals with objective information about prescription-medication discoveries and side effects. This information is not intended to be medical advice. You should contact your physician before making any changes to your health care. Drugs.com is not responsible for content provided by third-party web sites. Your Feedback We sent this e-mail to %PERS_EMAIL% at your request. We always appreciate feedback so if you wish to give us your comments/ praise/ rebuke please Contact Us here: http://www.drugs.com/contact.html Thanks so much for your continued support! The Editorial Team Drugs.com Your Privacy - Any personal information you provide to us will only be used to notify you of offers, information and activities. We'll hold the information about you securely and will not disclose it except for this purpose, or when required by law. Copyright © 2009 Drugs.com. All rights reserved.