Written for dermatologists by dermatologists. Indexed by the US National Library of Medicine.

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Update on Drugs and Drug News - Number 4 1998

Class	Name/Company	Approval Dates and Comments
Scalp Dermatoses	Norgestimate / Ethinyl estradiol Tri-Cyclen® Janssen-Ortho	Approved by the Canadian HPB March, 1998 for the new indication of treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females who have no known contraindications to oral contraceptive therapy. Previously approved in the US in 1997.
Topical anesthetic	Lidocaine/Prilocaine Cream Emla® Astra	Approved by the FDA February, 1998 as a pre-procedural application to adult male genital skin prior to site-specific subcutaneous infiltration with lidocaine for the removal of genital warts.

New Formulations
Acne vulgaris	Tretinoin gel 0.025% Avita® Penederm	This new gel formulation was approved by the FDA February, 1998 for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Acne vulgaris & oily skin	Adapalene solution 0.1% Differin® Galderma	Applied once a day in the evening for the treatment of acne. The solution also provides a drying effect for patients with oily skin.

US FDA – Recommendations
Wound closure	Topical tissue adhesive Dermabond® Closure Medical	An FDA advisory panel recommended approval of this sterile, liquid, topical tissue adhesive to hold closed trauma-induced lacerations or surgical incisions (including punctures from minimally invasive surgery) which otherwise would be closed with sutures of USP size 5-0 or smaller in diameter, staples or adhesive strips.

Labelling Changes
Atorvastin calcium Lipitor® Parke-Davis	This lipid reducing agent has been reported to cause angioneurotic edema in some patients and labelling has been changed accordingly.
Isotretinoin Accutane® Hoffman La Roche	Upon advice from the FDA in early March, Roche sent out Dear Doctor letters to US physicians advising them of labelling changes. The Warnings section will now begin with the following paragraph in bold type: Psychiatric disorders: Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide. Discontinuation of Accutane therapy may be necessary. No mechanism of action has been established for these events. The adverse events section is also revised.