Omeprazole (Losec - Merck), a new drug that suppresses gastric acid secretion, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for short-term (four to eight weeks) treatment of severe or refractory gastroesophageal reflux and for long-term treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas, and systemic mastocytosis. Although widely used abroad for treatment of peptic ulcers, it has not been approved for that indication in the USA.

Aprepitant (Emend - Merck), the first substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK₁) receptor antagonist to be approved by the FDA, is now available for oral use with corticosteroids and selective serotonin (5-HT₃) receptor antagonists to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by highly emetogenic anticancer drugs such as cisplatin.

Implanon (Organon), an implantable contraceptive containing the progestin etonogestrel, has been approved by the FDA. Two other implantable contraceptives, Norplant and Jadelle, which both contain levonorgestrel, are FDA-approved but not marketed in the US.

Temsirolimus (Torisel - Wyeth), an mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) kinase inhibitor that is metabolized to sirolimus (rapamycin), has been approved by the FDA for intravenous treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

A new once-daily, low-dose oral formulation of doxycycline monohydrate (Oracea - CollaGenex) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of inflammatory papules and pustules associated with rosacea in adults.

Fentanyl buccal soluble film (Onsolis – Meda) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of breakthrough pain in adult cancer patients who are already taking and are tolerant to around-the-clock opioid therapy. It is designated as a Schedule II controlled substance Two other oral transmucosal formulations of fentanyl are already available for this indication.

When used for the appropriate seizure type, antiseizure medications (ASMs) are roughly equivalent in efficacy. In addition to the seizure type, the choice of drug is usually based on factors such as ease of use, spectrum of activity, adverse effects, interactions with other drugs, presence of comorbid conditions, suitability for elderly persons and those with childbearing potential, and cost. Treatment should begin with a single drug, increasing the dosage gradually until seizures are controlled or adverse effects become unacceptable. If seizures persist, expert clinicians generally...

View the Comparison Table: Some Oral Antiseizure Medications

Many commonly used drugs can interfere with sexual function in both men and women, causing loss of libido, interfering with erection or ejaculation in men, and delaying or preventing orgasm in women. Drug-related effects on sexual function may be difficult to distinguish from the effects of depression or disease, but most are reversible when drug use is stopped and sometimes when dosage is decreased. Since many patients are reluctant to talk about sexual difficulties, physicians may wish to ask about the possibility of drug-induced sexual dysfunction, particularly when they have...