ClassName/CompanyApproval Dates and Comments

Anticancer


Methoxsalen


Uvadex

Therakos

In April, 1999, the FDA approved this drug for extracorporeal
administration with the UVAR Photophoresis system in the
palliative treatment of skin manifestations of cutaneous T-cell
lymphoma that are unresponsive to other forms of treatment.

Diabetic
ulcers


Becaplermin 0.01%


Regranex®

Janssen-Ortho

FDA approved for the treatment of full thickness, lower
extremity diabetic ulcers.

Metastatic
melanoma


Aldesleukin


Proleukin®

Chiron

Approved in February, 1999, by the US FDA for the treatment
of metastatic melanoma in adults.

Post-herpetic
neuralgia


Post-herpetic
neuralgia


Lidoderm® patch

Endo Pharmaceuticals

Approved in March, 1999, by the US FDA to treat the pain associated
with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) complication of shingles. This is
the first product approved by the FDA for the treatment of PHN.

Anti-inflammatory
dermatoses


Betamethasone valerate foam


Luxiq® 0.12%

Connetics Corporation

Approved in March, 1999, by the US FDA for the relief of
inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroidresponsive
dermatoses of the scalp.

Drug News

Anticancer


Paclitaxel


Taxop®

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

Nail disorders or changes may occur more often than was at
first thought. These changes can include discoloring,
nailthickening, onycholysis, and paronychia.

Dietary
supplements

Labels must now list all ingredients in order of quantity, suggested serving, percent daily value and
amount of calories. Vitamin and mineral product labels must state the quantity of specific nutrients
and herbal products must specify the actual plant parts used.

Malignant
melanoma


Temozolomide


Temodal®

Schering-Plough

The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee recommended
against approval of temozolomide because of an inability to
demonstrate any superiority over dacarbazine for this condition.

Tinea pedis


Terbinafine HCl cream 1%


Lamisil®

Novartis

In March, 1999, the FDA approved the switch from prescription
status to over-the-counter availability of terbinafine cream for
tinea pedis.