Overview of Selected Novel Drugs Approved in 2018

Madison Donnelly & Shawn Hodge

Abstract


2018 was a record setting year for new drug approvals by the FDA. This article highlights some of the drugs that have new mechanisms of action or have indications that have not previously been available. For example, Trogarzo is an IgG4 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of multidrug-resistant HIV. Xofluza, is a polymerase acidic endonuclease inhibitor that can be used to treat influenza by blocking a different step in the influenza lifecycle than previous flu medications, such as oseltamivir. Although smallpox has been declared eradicated for almost 40 years, TPOXX was approved for the treatment of smallpox in the event it is ever used as a bioterrorist agent. Epidiolex just became the first FDA-approved medication to contain an active ingredient derived from marijuana, and is the first medication approved for the treatment of Dravet syndrome. Three new medications for preventative migraine treatment were also approved. These agents (Aimovig, Ajovy, and Emgality) are calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists, which has been shown to be involved in migraine attacks.


Full Text:

PDF

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Notice and Disclaimer

Medicine is an ever-changing science.  As new research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge, changes in treatment and drug therapy are required.  The authors and the publisher of this work have checked with sources believed to be reliable in their efforts to provide information that is complete and generally in accord with the standards accepted at the time of publication.  However, in view of the possibility of human error or changes in medical sciences, neither the authors nor the publisher nor any other party who has been involved in the preparation or publication of this work warrants that the information contained herein is accurate or complete, and they disclaim all responsibility for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from use of the information contained in this work.    Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources.   For example and in particular, readers are advised to check the product information sheet included in the package of each drug they plan to administer to be certain that the information contained in this work is accurate and that changes have not been made in the recommended dose or in the contraindications for administration.