1. Adam Corey, PharmD Candidate Cone Health Family Medicine
News You Can Use…
Adam Corey, PharmD Candidate
Pete Koval, PharmD
Cone Health Family Medicine
November, 2016

2. Rx-to-OTC Switch Adapalene Gel First OTC retinoid for Acne
Remains Pregnancy Category C – Consult a physician before use if pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant
ADEs – redness, stinging, burning, hyperpigmenation, photosensitivity

3. CDC Vaccine Update Changes to HPV Vaccine Doses
Ages – only need 2 doses
Administer doses at least 6 months apart
Ages ≥15 – continue 3 dose schedule

4. FDA Black Box Update
Direct Acting Antivirals (DAA) for Hepatitis C drugs must have Boxed Warning for Hepatitis B reactivation
Screen all patients for current or prior HBV infection before starting DAA
Monitor for flare-ups or reactivation of HBV during and after treatment
Counsel patients to call if: fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, yellowing of eyes/skin or light-colored stools

5. FDA Approval FDA approves Meditronic’s MiniMed 670G closed loop system
1st automated insulin delivery device for T1DM
Automatically monitors blood glucose ever 5 minutes and delivers or holds insulin dose
Approved for ages 14 years and older

6. Article Review
Calcium-channel blockers and beta blockers doubled the risk of hospitalizations for MDD and Bipolar compared to ACE/ARB
CCB increased risk 2.28x (p<0.05)
BB increased risk 1.93x (p<0.05)
ACE Inhibitors and ARBs showed no difference or reduced risk
Boal A, Smith D, McCallum L, Muir S, Touyz R, et al. Hypertension 2016; 68:

7. DEA Update DEA drops plans to make Kratom a Schedule 1 substance
Used as alternative to opioids in chronic pain– induces pain relief and mild euphoria, with less respiratory depression
ADEs: aggression, hallucinations, delusions, insomnia, nausea, hypothyroidism, seizures and severe withdrawal from habitual use
Currently, 6 states ban Kratom or components
Natural Medicines (2016): Kratom. From naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com

8. FDA Warning
FDA adds warnings to testosterone and other anabolic androgenic steroids for the treatment of low testosterone
Update to Abuse and Dependence Section
Due to safety risks affecting the heart, brain, liver, mental health and endocrine
Recommends monitoring testosterone concentration if abuse is suspected

9. FDA Approval Zinplava® (Bezlotoxumab)
For adults taking one medication for C. difficile Infection at high risk for re-infection
Dose: 10 mg/kg IV over 1 hour
MoA: Binds and Neutralizes Toxin B
ADEs: Nausea, Pyrexia, Headache, Heart Failure Exacerbation
Zinplava® [Package Insert] Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co; 2016