Recent FDA Drug Approvals
Dozens of new drugs were approved by the FDA over the past few months of this year. Ranging from cardiovascular medication to skin cancer treatment to type II diabetes treatment and new treatment for cystic fibrosis, read the information below to see if any of these new treatments may provide you some relief.
For cardiovasular patient, Repatha (evolocumab) by Amgen was approved in August for the treatment of high cholesterol. Additionally, Praluent (alirocumab) by Sanofi Aventis, was approved in July for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in people who require additional lowering of LDL cholesterol.
Corlanor (ivabradine), also by Amgen and Entresto (sacubitril and valsartan) by Novartis were both recently approved for the treatment of chronic heart failure.
Patients suffering from skin cancer now have a new treatment. Odomzo (sonidegib) by Novartis was approved for the treatment of locally advanced basal cell carcinoma. Odomzo is specifically indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma that has recurred following surgery or radiation therapy, or those who are not candidates for surgery or radiation therapy.
Premenopausal women with generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder now have a new treatment; Addyi (flibanserin) by Sprout Pharmaceuticals was approved in August.
Synjardy (empagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride) by Boehringer Ingelheim was also approved in August for the treatment of type II diabetes.
There is new hope for chemotherapy patients. Varubi (rolapitant) by Tesaro was approved just this month for the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
Kidney transplant patients may have a new treatment for the prevention of organ rejection. Envarsus XR (tacrolimus extended-release) by Veloxis was approved in July and may provide hope for more successful transplant surgery.
Rexulti (brexpiprazole) by Otsuka as approved in July for the treatment of depression and schizophrenia.
Orkambi (lumacaftor and ivacaftor) by Vertex Pharmaceuticals was approved in July for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients 12 and older.
Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can now take Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium bromide and olodaterol). Producted by Boehringer Ingelheim, and approved in May by the FDA, Stiolto Respimat is specifically indicated for the long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD.
As more drugs are approved, we’ll keep you up-to-date. If you have questions about any of these medications, ask one of our pharmacists for more information and ask your doctor if it is right for you.
