UPDATE ON DRUGS

Class Name/Company Approval Dates and Comments

Antibacterial Agent
Tigecycline

Tygacil™


Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

The US FDA approved this novel IV antibiotic in June 2005 for
the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections in
adults. It has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, including
activity against the drug-resistant bacterium methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus.

Antifungal Agent
Terbinafine HCl

Lamisil® Tablets


Ranbaxy Laboratories

The US FDA gave tentative approval to manufacture and
market this antifungal agent in June 2005 for the treatment
of onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail due to
dermatophytes (tinea unguium). Product launch is expected
after the US FDA gives their final approval.

Antibacterial Agent

Moxifloxacin HCl
Avelox®
Schering-Plough
The US FDA approved this once-daily antibiotic in June
2005 for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure
infections in adults that are caused by methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella
pneumoniae, or Enterobacter cloacae
.

Monoclonal Antibody
Adalimumab

Humira®


Abbott Laboratories

The EMEA issued a positive opinion in June 2005,
recommending approval of this monoclonal antibody for the
treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

Drug News


Research Results
In an article published in the June issue of the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for
Experimental Biology*
scientists reported that dithranol, which is used for the treatment of severe
psoriasis, induces keratinocyte apoptosis through a novel mitochondrial pathway dependent on
oxidative respiration and involving electron transfer with the ubiquinone pool. They suggested
that this could be a potentially important mechanism involved in the clearance of psoriasis.*
*FASEB J 19(8):1012-4 (2005 Jun).

Insect Repellant
According to a recent report in The Medical Letter*, Picaridin (KBR 3023) became available in
June 2005 in the US as a 7% solution (Cutter Advanced®, Spectrum Brands). Picaridin has been
used as an insect repellant for years in Europe and Australia, where no serious toxicity has been
reported. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending it as an alternative
to DEET. Repellants containing picaridin are not registered for use in Canada.
*The Medical Letter 47(1210):46-7 (2005 Jun 6).

Drug Warning
Skin Cap® (Cheminova Laboratories International SA) is a product made in Madrid, Spain that
was sold in the US in the mid-1990s. Its active ingredients were reported to be pyrithione zinc
and sodium lauryl sulfate. However, analysis of two lots of this product demonstrated that it also
contained clobetasol propionate. In 1997, the US FDA stopped its importation into the US. In
2004, a sample purchased over the internet was again analyzed showing adulteration with highpotency
glucocorticosteroids.*
*Arch Dermatol 141(6):801-3 (2005 Jun).