New Medications Spotlight for 2017

Photo Credit: by CPOHealth

2017 has brought some new drug approvals, as well as new dosage updates for a number of medications. Medication spending continues to rise this year and is expected to increase 4-7% by 2021, according to a report released by QuintilesIMS. This would mean in the United States alone, Americans will be spending $580-$610 billion. Our current expenditure is on track to be upwards of $360 billion for 2017. Drug prices in the United States have also continued to rise, in some cases as much 11% compared to last year. All of this is in direct contrast to the stagnation in wages as they rise only 2.5% nationwide. President Trump had vowed to bring drug prices down, but so far this is a campaign promise he has yet to fulfill.

In the meantime, there are plenty of new medications worthy of review that have hit the market this year. Here’s a rundown of the 2017 medications we’d like to highlight so far. We have most of them in stock and available to purchase through our online pharmacy. Let’s take a closer look:

Xadago - *TOP SELLER*

Generic name: safinamide

Manufactured by: Alloga, available in 50mg and 100mg

Used for: Xadago is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, type B. It’s given to people with Parkinson’s disease. It can be given with levodopa and carbidopa to treat “wearing off” periods that lead to muscle stiffness and loss of muscle control). It works by allowing the chemical dopamine to work in the brain for a longer period of time.

Bepreve - *TOP SELLER*

Generic name: bepotastine besilate

Manufactured by: Bausch & Lomb, available in 1.5 %/5 ml ophthalmic soution

Used for: Bepreve is an antihistamine eye care drop used to reduce allergy symptoms such as itchy or watery eyes. It works by reducing the level of histamine produced by the body that cause the allergic reaction in the first place.

Keppra XR - *TOP SELLER*

Generic name: levetiracetam extended release

Manufactured by: Sun Pharmaceuticals, available in generic only, 500mg and 750mg

Used for: Keppra XR is an anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) medication used to treat partial onset seizures in children over 1 month old, and adults. In our online pharmacy, we currently only carry the generic medication manufactured by Torrent Pharma.

Renvela - *TOP SELLER*

Generic name: sevelamer carbonate

Manufactured by: Sanofi Aventis

Used for: Renvela is a phosphate binder used to prevent hypocalcemia (low calcium in the body), caused by elevated phosphorus. It is also used to control phosphorus levels with people who are on dialysis and suffering from chronic kidney disease.

Tagrisso - *TOP SELLER*

Generic name: osimertinib mesylate

Manufactured by: AstraZeneca, available in 40mg and 80mg

Used for: Tagrisso is another anticancer medication, but it’s used to treat a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer. It’s typically given after other cancer medications have been tried and yielded little or no success. It works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells throughout the body.

Binosto - *TOP SELLER*

Generic name: alendronate sodium trihydrate

Manufactured by: Internis Pharma, available in 70 mg

Used for: Binosto is an effervescent tablet used to treat women who suffer from postmenopausal osteoporosis. It works by altering the cycle of bone formation and breakdown by slowing bone loss, and increasing bone mass.

Oxistat - *TOP SELLER*

Generic name: oxiconazole nitrate

Manufactured by: Deva Pharma, available in generic only, 1 %/10 gm cream

Used for: Oxistat is an antifungal medication used to treat skin infections such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. It works by fighting the infection caused by fungus. It is the first generic cream approved to treat such infections.

Ibrance - *TOP SELLER*

Generic name: palbociclib

Manufactured by: Pfizer, available in 75mg, 100mg and 125mg

Used for: Ibrance is an anticancer medication, used to treat certain types of advanced breast cancer when its spread to other parts of the body. It works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells throughout the body. It can also be used in combination with hormonal medicines such as letrozole and fulvesrant.

Taltz – available through in-person pick-up only

Generic name: ixekizumab

Manufactured by: Eli Lilly, available in 80mg/ml auto injector and prefilled syringe

Used for: Taltz is an immunosuppressant medication used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (raised, silvery flaking of the skin). Eli Lilly is also hoping to have the medication indicated for use with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), like its competitor Cosentyx. It works by reducing the body’s natural response that causes the inflammation in the first place.

Inflectra – available through in-person pick-up only

Generic name: infliximab

Manufactured by: Hospira Healthcare, available in 100 mg only

Used for: Inflectra is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. It may also be used to treat sever or disabling plaque psoriasis. It works by reducing the body’s natural responses that trigger inflammation.

Enbrel – available through in-person pick-up only

Generic name: etanercept

Manufactured by: Amgen, available in 25 mg vials pack and 50mg/ml prefilled syringes

Used for: Enbrel is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. It’s used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, and prevent any joint damage caused by these conditions. It can be used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in kids at least 2 years old and plaque psoriasis in adults and kids over four years old. It works by decreasing TNF, a protein produced by the immune system to fight infections, but in people with immune disorders, the body produces too much and mistakenly attacks healthy cells.

Clinoril

Generic name: sulindac

Manufactured by: Teva, available in generic only, 150mg and 200 mg

Used for: Clinoril is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat inflammation in the body caused by arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, or gout. It works by reducing hormones in the body responsible for causing the inflammation. The generic and brand name medication do come with a potential risk: sulindac has been known to cause a rare skin disorder known as SJS (or Stevens-Johnson syndrome).

Zykadia

Generic name: ceritinib

Manufactured by: Novartis, available in 150mg only

Used for: Zykadia is another anticancer medication, and it’s also used to treat non-small cell lung cancer once it’s spread to other parts of the body. It’s used only if the tumor growth contains a specific genetic marker. It works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells throughout the body.

Gilotrif

Generic name: afatinib dimaleate

Manufactured by: Boehringer Ingelheim, available in 20mg, 30mg, and 40mg

Used for: Gilotrif is the final anticancer medication for 2017 that’s been approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer once it’s spread to other parts of the body. The cancer must contain a specific genetic marker before this drug will be prescribed. It can also be used to treat squamous non-small cell cancer that has spread, and has not been successfully treated with other medications. It works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells throughout the body.

Solystat

Generic name: sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Manufactured by: Pendopharm Pharmascience, available in 94.3mg/g powder

Used for: Solystat is a cation-exchange resin and is used to treat high levels of potassium in the blood – also known as hyperkalemia. It works by binding to potassium in the intestine to lower the levels absorbed into the blood stream.

Viberzi – not currently available at Canada Pharmacy Online

Generic name: eluxadoline

Manufactured by: Allergan

Used for: Viberzi is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with the main symptom of diarrhea. It’s used to slow the movement of food during digestion and makes the nerves in the intestines less sensitive to stimulation.

Epclusa – not currently available at Canada Pharmacy Online

Generic name: sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

Manufactured by: Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc.

Used for: Epclusa is a combination antiviral medication used to prevent the spread of hepatitis C. It may also be given in combination with ribavirin for people who have advanced cirrhosis.

2017 has brought in a number of medications for treating cancer, and more specifically, non-small cell lung cancer. There are also a number of new medications to treat arthritis, psoriasis, and more. As medications advance, our pharmacy continues to provide affordable options to those who seek to keep costs low. Contact us today at 1-866-920-3784 to discuss your prescription medications and learn about how we can save you more on the medications you need most.

Reference Links:

Internis launches GI friendly alendronate formulation http://www.pharmatimes.com/news/internis_launches_gi_friendly_alendronate_formulation_1025980

FDA grants Priority Review to Gilotrif for uncommon EGFR mutations in advanced NSCLC https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-grants-priority-review-to-gilotrif-for-uncommon-egfr-mutations-in-advanced-nsclc-300533422.html

As Taltz growth stalls, Lilly looks ahead to psoriatic arthritis expansion

https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/as-taltz-growth-stalls-lilly-looks-ahead-to-psoriatic-arthritis-expansion

Buy Pfizer because of its blockbuster breast cancer drug: Morgan Stanley

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/20/buy-pfizer-because-of-its-blockbuster-breast-cancer-drug-morgan-stanley.html

Novartis bags first-line approval for Zykadia

http://www.pharmatimes.com/news/novartis_bags_first-line_approval_for_zykadia_1197415

FDA approves first generic of Oxistat cream, 1% for athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm

https://www.healio.com/dermatology/practice-management/news/online/%7B57babfff-90c2-43d8-b230-5542a74f414c%7D/fda-approves-first-generic-of-oxistat-cream-1-for-athletes-foot-jock-itch-and-ringworm

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