FDA: Limit codeine and tramadol use in kids
April 21st 2017FDA said this week that it is restricting the use of codeine and tramadol medicines in children. The drug’s labels will now include a contraindication that codeine should not be used to treat pain or cough, and that tramadol should not be used to treat pain, in children younger than 12 years.
Novel drug approved for Huntington's symptom
April 10th 2017FDA recently approved deutetrabenazine (Austedo, Teva Pharmaceuticals) to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease (HD). The medication is only the second product approved to treat HD, and is the first deuterated product approved by FDA.
New Parkinson's drug, 2 others approved
March 20th 2017FDA approved safinamide (Xadago, Newron Pharmaceuticals) tablets as an add-on treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease. FDA also approved new treatments for classical Hodgkin lymphoma and pemphigus vulgaris, a rare, life-threatening condition characterized by progressive painful blistering of the skin and mucous membranes.
Generic versions of major depression drug available
March 13th 2017Mylan received approval from FDA to market its desvenlafaxine extended-release tablets, the generic version of Pristiq (Pfizer), for major depressive disorder. Plus, 2 other manufacturers recently received approval for their generic versions of Pristiq.