The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Oralair to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever) with or without conjunctivitis (eye inflammation) that is induced by certain grass pollens in people ages 10 through 65 years. Oralair is the first sublingual (under the tongue) allergen extract approved in the United States. After administration of the first dose at the health care provider’s office, where the patient can be observed for potential adverse reactions, Oralair can be taken at home.
Category Archives: Drug Safety Information Podcasts
FDA orders Wash.-based smoked seafood manufacturer to cease operations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently ordered Jensen’s Old Fashioned Smokehouse Inc., a processor of smoked fish products in Seattle, Wash., to stop processing, preparing, packing, holding and distributing any food at or from its facility.
FDA approves Topamax for migraine prevention in adolescents
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Topamax (topiramate) for prevention (prophylaxis) of migraine headaches in adolescents ages 12 to 17. This is the first FDA approval of a drug for migraine prevention in this age group. The medication is taken on a daily basis to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.
FDA approves first long-acting recombinant coagulation Factor IX concentrate for patients with Hemophilia B
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Alprolix, Coagulation Factor IX (Recombinant), Fc Fusion Protein, for use in adults and children who have Hemophilia B. Alprolix is the first Hemophilia B treatment designed to require less frequent injections when used to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding.
FDA approves Otezla to treat psoriatic arthritis
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Otezla (apremilast) to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
FDA approves first implantable hearing device for adults with a certain kind of hearing loss
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first implantable device for people 18 and older with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss of high-frequency sounds in both ears, but who can still hear low-frequency sounds with or without a hearing aid. The Nucleus Hybrid L24 Cochlear Implant System may help those with this specific kind of hearing loss who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids.
FDA approves Impavido to treat tropical disease leishmaniasis
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Impavido (miltefosine) to treat a tropical disease called leishmaniasis.
Some lots of Simply Lite brand dark chocolate recalled
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns consumers that it has tested and found milk protein in 3-ounce bars of Simply Lite brand 50% Cacao Low Carb Sugar Free Dark Chocolate bearing the lot codes “Best By: 01 18 2015A” or “Best By: 01 19 2015A.” Milk is a major food allergen, but it is not declared as an ingredient on the label.
FDA allows marketing of first medical device to prevent migraine headaches
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of the first device as a preventative treatment for migraine headaches. This is also the first transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device specifically authorized for use prior to the onset of pain.
FDA proposes updates to Nutrition Facts label on food packages
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today proposed to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect the latest scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease. The proposed label also would replace out-of-date serving sizes to better align with how much people really eat, and it would feature a fresh design to highlight key parts of the label such as calories and serving sizes.