| Class | Name/Company | Approval Dates and Comments |
Anti-acne |
Tretinoin gel 0.1%
Retin-A Micro®
Ortho
| Approved by the FDA for acne treatment. Reported to cause
less irritation than the original Retin-A® formulation. |
Anti-HIV |
Delavirdine
Rescriptor®
Pharmacia & Upjohn
| Approved by the FDA April 7, 1997 as an added potency
enhancement agent of HIV drug cocktails. It is a nonnucleoside
reverse transcriptase inhibitor, which is not as
powerful as protease inhibitors. Skin reaction is the main
side effect of delavirdine. |
Nelfinavir
Viracept®
Agouron Pharmaceuticals
| Indication(s): Approved by the FDA March 14, 1997 for
treatment of HIV infection when therapy is warranted
Nelfinavir is the first protease inhibitor approved simultaneously
for adults and children. In trials, it was combined with
zidovudine (Retrovir®) or lamivudine (Epivir®). |
Antipsoriasis |
Calcipotriene ointment
Dovonex®
Bristol Myers Squibb
| The efficacy claim for once daily dosing of plaque psoriasis
was approved by the FDA March 20, 1997. |
Antiviral |
Valacyclovir tablet
Valtrex®
Glaxo Wellcome
| Labelling amendment approved FDA April 30, 1997. The
contraindication in immunocompromised patients has been
removed and reference to “in immunocompetent adults” has
been removed from the indication statements. |
Laser
system |
Pulsed Er:Yag
laser system
Derma 20®
Esc Medical Systems Ltd.
| Approved by the FDA April 15, 1997. This laser system is
used for general dermatologic applications, including skin
resurfacing applications. |
Skin Substitute |
Human skin equivalent
Apligraf®
Novartis
| Approved in Canada April 1997 for use in healing venous leg
ulcers. See article on page one of this issue. |
Wart removal |
Podofilox gel 0.5%
Condylox®
Oclassen
| Approved by the FDA March 13, 1997 for the treatment of
perianal warts and external genital warts. The topical solution
was previously approved for external genital warts only. |
