The October update to the AHFS Patient Medication Information (PMI) database has been published. Highlights of the update include:

New PMI Monographs:

• Dasabuvir, Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, and Ritonavir (Viekira XR^®)
  • Dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir is used alone or in combination with ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere) to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis C infection (swelling of the liver caused by a virus).
• Calcifediol (Rayaldee®)
  • Calcifediol is used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (a condition in which the body produces too much parathyroid hormone [PTH; a natural substance needed to control the amount of calcium in the blood] ) in certain adults with chronic kidney disease.
• Doxercalciferol Injection (Hectoral^®; also available generically)
  • Doxercalciferol injection is used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (a condition in which the body produces too much parathyroid hormone [PTH; a natural substance needed to control the amount of calcium in the blood] in people receiving dialysis (medical treatment to clean the blood when the kidneys are not working properly).
• Ergocalciferol (Drisdol^®; also available generically)
  • Ergocalciferol is used in the treatment of hypoparathyroidism (condition in which the body does not produce enough parathyroid hormone), refractory rickets (softening and weakening of bones that does not respond to treatment), and familial hypophosphatemia (rickets or osteomalacia caused by an inherited condition with a decreased ability to break down vitamin D in the body).
• Dapsone Topical (Aczone^®)
  • Dapsone topical is used to treat acne.
• Doxercalciferol (Hectoral^®; also available generically)
  • Doxercalciferol injection is used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (a condition in which the body produces too much parathyroid hormone [PTH; a natural substance needed to control the amount of calcium in the blood] in people receiving dialysis (medical treatment to clean the blood when the kidneys are not working properly).
• Methylnaltrexone (Relistor^®)
  • Methylnaltrexone is used to treat constipation caused by opioid (narcotic) pain medications in patients with chronic (ongoing) pain that is not caused by cancer.
• Furosemide Injection (Lasix^®; also available generically)
  • Furosemide injection is used to treat edema (fluid retention; excess fluid held in body tissues) caused by various medical problems, including heart failure, pulmonary edema (excess fluid in the lungs), and liver disease.

FDA MedWatch Alerts – Monograph Revisions

Warning about the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) becoming an active infection again in any patient who has a current or previous infection with HBV and is treated with certain direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medicines for hepatitis C virus.

• Affected monographs:
  • Simeprevir
  • Sofosbuvir
  • Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir
  • Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, and Ritonavir with Dasabuvir
  • Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, and Ritonavir
  • Daclatasvir
  • Elbasvir and Grazoprevir
  • Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir
  • Dasabuvir, Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, and Ritonavir (XR)