The new combo Simbrinza (sim-BRIN-za, brinzolamide/brimonidine) will raise questions about treatments for open-angle glaucoma

July 2013

The new combo Simbrinza (sim-BRIN-za, brinzolamide/brimonidine) will raise questions about treatments for open-angle glaucoma.

Think of glaucoma therapy as similar to treating hypertension.

Patients usually start with a single agent...then drugs from different classes are added until intraocular pressure is controlled.

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Table of Contents

Obesity & Weight Loss Belviq (bel-VEEK, lorcaserin) will join Qsymia and other weight loss meds in the battle of the bulge
Respiratory & Allergy Inhaled steroids are in and LONG-acting beta-agonists are out for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
Cardiology new ezetimibe and statin combo for dyslipidemia called Liptruzet (LIP-true-zet)
Medical Practice get paid more with new billing codes for "transitions of care"
Anticoagulants boxed warning about stopping Pradaxa (dabigatran), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), or Eliquis (apixaban) in atrial fib patients
Osteoporosis New labeling will suggest STOPPING bisphosphonates (alendronate, etc) after 3 to 5 years in some patients at low fracture risk
Psychiatry A new desvenlafaxine extended-release will create confusion
Ophthalmology The new combo Simbrinza (sim-BRIN-za, brinzolamide/brimonidine) will raise questions about treatments for open-angle glaucoma
New Drugs Many people assume FDA considers the VALUE of new drugs as part of their drug approval process
Sunscreens patients will ask about sunscreens
NSAIDs a bigger push to avoid ORAL diclofenac