Acarbose (Precose -Bayer), an oral alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that has been available in Europe for several years, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

An advertising war between manufacturers of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics has led some patients to ask their physicians about the safety of taking these products if they also drink alcohol.

Butenafine hydrochloride 1% cream (Mentax - Penederm), a benzylamine antifungal drug similar to the allylamines terbinafine (Lamisil) and naftifine (Naftin), is now available in the USA for topical treatment of tinea pedis, tinea corporis and tinea cruris.

Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) have become the standard treatment for erectile dysfunction. Head-to-head comparisons of these agents are still lacking, but some differences between them and new recommendations for their dosing (see Table 2) are worth noting.

View the Comparison Table: Some Systemic Fluoroquinolones (online only)

View the Comparison Table: Some Nonopioid Analgesics for Pain

Trovafloxacin (Trovan - Pfizer) and its prodrug alatrofoxacin (Trovan IV) are new fluroroquinolones marketed for an unusually wide variety of infections, including oral and intravenous treatment of nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia, acute ecerbations of chronic bronchitis, acute sinusitis, complicate intra-abdominal and pelvic infections, diabetic foot infection, uncomplicated urinary tract infection, prostatitis, cervicitis and uncomplicated gonorrhea.

The FDA has approved Liletta, an intrauterine device (IUD) that releases the synthetic progestin levonorgestrel, for prevention of pregnancy for up to 3 years. The fourth IUD to be approved in the US, and the third that releases levonorgestrel, Liletta is comarketed by Actavis and Medicines360, a nonprofit women's health pharmaceutical company. The wholesale cost of Liletta is similar to that of other IUDs (see Table 1), but the manufacturer offers programs that significantly reduce the cost for commercially-insured patients and clinics serving low-income women.

Cerivastatin (Baycol - Bayer), a new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (or "statin"), has been approved by the FDA for treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Cerivastatin is the sodium salt of a synthetic fluorophenyl pyridinyl-substituted heptanoic acid.

The FDA has approved Phexxi (Evofem), a nonhormonal prescription-only vaginal gel containing lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate, for prevention of pregnancy. The gel is intended for on-demand contraception; it is not effective when used after intercourse. It was previously approved for use as a vaginal lubricant (Amphora), but was never marketed.