FDA Approves Three New Treatments

The FDA approved new treatments for several conditions last week, including:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Aclidinium bromide (marketed as Tudorza Pressair) is a new long-acting antimuscarinic agent, given twice daily as a dry powder inhaler, for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm in COPD patients.

• Severe hypertriglyceridemia: A new omega-3 pill containing icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) may be used in addition to dietary changes to reduce triglycerides in adults whose levels reach 500 mg/dL or greater.

• Advanced breast cancer: Everolimus (Afinitor), previously approved for advanced renal cancer and other conditions, is now indicated for use with exemestane to treat postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer whose illness has recurred or progressed after receiving letrozole or anastrozole.