Drug Update

(from Drug News Weekly)

• The FDA has approved the following new indication:
  • Diovan (valsartan) - for the treatment of high blood pressure in children and adolescents 6 to 16 years of age.
• The FDA has approved Triesence (triamcinolone acetonide) 40 mg/mL injectable suspension, a synthetic corticosteroid for visualization during vitrectomy and treatment of sympathetic ophthalmia, temporal arteritis, uveitis, and ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids.
• Roche Pharmaceuticals has discontinued the production of Roferon-A (interferon alfa-2a, recombinant). This action is related to the product's life cycle, not to any safety or efficacy concerns.
• Manufacturers have updated the prescribing information for desmopressin acetate (DDAVP, DDAVP Nasal Spray, DDAVP Rhinal Tube, DDVP, Minirin, and Stimate Nasal Spray). Patients taking desmopressin and children treated with intranasal formulations for primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) are at risk for developing severe hyponatremia, resulting in seizures and death. Thus, desmopressin intranasal formulations are no longer indicated for PNE treatment and should not be used in hyponatremic patients or patients with a history of hyponatremia. All formulations should be used with caution in patients at risk for water intoxication with hyponatremia.