Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 2, 1992 TAG: 9201300121
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Joe and Teresa Graedon
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
'91 OFFERED MANY NEW DRUGS BUT FEW BREAKTHROUGHS
The Food and Drug Administration approved a number of new drugs in 1991. As usual, the feds finished up with a flurry, just before their end-of-year deadline.There were no giant breakthroughs, no amazing cures for our modern-day scourges of AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis or cancer. But there were modest advances in some of these areas.
Some of the interesting drug stories of the past year starred old medicines with new uses. Aspirin was found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by almost 50 percent. And low-doses (30 to 75 mg, less than a baby aspirin) were found to be equally effective as higher doses in preventing strokes.
The FDA approved a new prescription drug for stroke prevention. People who can't tolerate aspirin can now take Ticlid (ticlopidine).
One of the most valuable new drugs to be approved last year was Zofran (ondansetron). This medication helps control the nausea often associated with chemotherapy and has dramatically changed the quality of life for thousands of cancer patients.
Scientists are also looking into other possible applications for Zofran. Preliminary research suggests it might become useful for treating schizophrenia, anxiety, memory impairment or alcohol and drug abuse.
What makes Zofran different is its ability to modulate a brain chemical called serotonin. Another new drug that affects serotonin was approved at the end of the year. Zoloft (sertraline), an antidepressant, will compete with Prozac (fluoxetine), which has been incredibly successful despite an ongoing controversy over its safety.
People with cholesterol problems have several new options. Their doctors may prescribe Pravachol (pravastatin) or Zocor (simvastatin). Both drugs are similar to the popular medicine Mevacor (lovastatin).
Smokers can be optimistic if they have resolved to quit this year. Nicotine skin patches are available as Nicoderm and Habitrol. These transdermal delivery systems stick to the skin and provide a steady dose of nicotine to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Blood pressure control will be a little easier with a few new compounds. Most are similar to existing medicines such as Capoten and Vasotec. These include Altace (ramipril), Lotensin (benazepril) and Monopril (fosinopril). Another, Plendil (felodipine) is a calcium channel blocker like Cardizem or Procardia.
Arthritis victims have two new prescription remedies. Lodine (etodolac) and Relafen (nabumetone) relieve inflammation like a dozen or so current anti-inflammatory agents. But Relafen may be less likely to cause stomach ulcers, and that would be a welcome advance.
A significant pediatric medicine was approved in December. Acel-Imune is a vaccine for whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. Initially it will be used for booster shots and is expected to cause fewer adverse reactions than traditional DTP shots.
There are also oodles of antibiotics this year for hard-to-treat infections. And the antiviral drug Videx is showing promise in AIDS patients who haven't responded well to other treatments.
Although none of the drugs approved in 1991 is of startling significance, collectively it was a good year. Millions of people will benefit from these new medications.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Dr. Teresa Graedon is a medical anthropologist and nutrition expert. Their newest book is "Graedons' Best Medicine" (Bantam Books).
King Features Syndicate