More articles from Current Drug Therapy
- Pregabalin for fibromyalgia: Some relief but no cure
How will pregabalin (Lyrica) fit into the treatment of this challenging disease?
- Perioperative statins: More than lipid-lowering?
Soon, the checklist for internists seeing patients about to undergo surgery may include prescribing one of the lipid-lowering drugs called statins.
- Anemia of chronic kidney disease: When normalcy becomes undesirable
Several recent studies indicate that raising hemoglobin levels to the normal range with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents can be too much of a good thing, and the US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning on the use of these drugs in renal disease.
- What role will ‘gliptins’ play in glycemic control?
Sitagliptin (Januvia) is now available, vildagliptin (Galvus) is awaiting approval, and other “gliptins” are under development. Their greatest appeal appears to be their ability to stimulate insulin production with little risk of hypoglyecmia.
- Treating pulmonary arterial hypertension: Cautious hope in a deadly disease
Advances have brought cautious hope for patients with this progressive and deadly disease. Intravenous prostanoids are still the most effective drugs for long-term treatment, but oral options are available for some patients who can be closely monitored.
- Atypical antipsychotics: New drugs, new challenges
Second-generation antipsychotic, or atypical, drugs are much less likely than typical antipsychotics to cause movement disorders, but they come with a new variety of side effects, particularly metabolic ones.
- Modafinil in the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness
We review the pharmacology, current approved and off-label uses, and side effects of this commonly prescribed wakefulness-promoting agent.
- Buprenorphine maintenance: A new treatment for opioid dependence
New regulations allow physicians who are certified in buprenorphine therapy to offer it in their offices, substantially increasing patient access to treatment for opioid dependence.
- Newer hormonal therapies: Lower doses; oral, transdermal, and vaginal formulations
We review some of the hormonal regimens that have been approved in the past 5 years.
- Update on hormonal contraception
The trends are for lower estrogen doses, newer progestins, longer cycles, and non-oral options. A review of the latest products.