The FDA has approved a fixed-dose combination (Harvoni [har voe' nee] – Gilead) of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir (led' i pas' vir), two oral direct-acting antiviral agents, for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection. Genotype 1 is responsible for 70-80% of HCV infections in the US. Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) was approved earlier for use in combination with other antiviral drugs for treatment of HCV infection. Ledipasvir is a new drug.

Two new extended-release amphetamine products have been approved by the FDA for once-daily treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients ≥6 years old: Adzenys XR-ODT (Neos Therapeutics), an orally distintegrating tablet, and Dyanavel XR (Tris Pharma), an oral suspension.

The FDA has approved an extended-release tablet formulation of amantadine (Osmolex ER – Vertical/Osmotica) for once-daily treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) in adults. An extended-release capsule formulation of amantadine (Gocovri) was approved in 2017 for treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patients with PD.

View the Comparison Table: Inhaled Drugs for Treatment of COPD

Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and various phobias) are the most common form of psychiatric illness. They can be treated effectively with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or pharmacotherapy.

Felbamate (Felbatol - Wallace Laboratories), a phenyl dicarbamate structurally similar to meprobamate (Equanil, and others), was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use alone or with other drugs in adults with partial seizures with or without secondary generalization. It was also approved for use in addition to other drugs in children with the multiple types of seizures associated with the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe epileptic encephalopathy.

Recombinant interferon alfa-2b conjugated to polyethylene glycol (PEG-Intron), the first "pegylated"alpha interferon, has been approved by the FDA for once-a-week monotherapy of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients not previously treated with alpha interferon.

Aripiprazole (Abilify - Bristol-Myers Squibb/Otsuka), a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic drug, was approved by the FDA in 2002 for treatment of schizophrenia and more recently for bipolar disorder as well. It has been promoted as causing fewer adverse effects than other antipsychotics, without sacrificing efficacy.

A combination of the corticosteroid mometasone furoate (Asmanex) and the long-acting beta₂-agonist (LABA) formoterol (Foradil) has become available in a single metered-dose inhaler (Dulera – Schering) for treatment of asthma in patients ≥12 years old. It is the third corticosteroid/LABA combination inhaler to become available for this indication in the US. None of these combinations should be used for initial treatment of asthma or for acute treatment of asthma symptoms.

Augmentation with a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic is a treatment option for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) whose symptoms persist following antidepressant monotherapy. Aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine in a fixed-dose combination with fluoxetine (Symbyax), and extended-release quetiapine (Seroquel XR) have been approved by the FDA for such use.