(from Drug News Weekly) 

The FDA has approved zolmitriptan 2.5 and 5 mg tablets, the generic version of Zomig, indicated for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adult patients.

The FDA has approved Simponi (golimumab) for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients who have demonstrated corticosteroid dependence or who have had an inadequate response to or did not tolerate oral aminosalicylates, oral corticosteroids, azathioprine, or 6-mercaptopurine.

The FDA has approved Xofigo (radium RA 223 dichloride) injection for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease.

The FDA has approved label changes specifying new dosing recommendations for zolpidem tartrate products (Ambien, Ambien CR, and Edluar), because of the known risk of next-morning impairment with these drugs. The FDA also warns that patients who take extended-release zolpidem (Ambien CR), 6.25 or 12.5 mg, should not drive or engage in other activities that require complete mental alertness the day after taking the drug because zolpidem levels can remain high enough the next day to impair these activities.

In the March 2013 issue of Nurse Advise-ERR, ISMP gives the following recommendations to avoid errors when switching from insulin pens to insulin vials in the hospital:

• Alert staff to the upcoming change and re-educate regarding proper medication preparation and administration.
• When possible, have pharmacy prepare and dispense insulin doses. For rapid-acting insulin dosing, have pharmacy dispense a vial (preferably 3 mL) for specific patient.
• Stock the smallest vials to help avoid any catastrophic dosing errors.
• Stock appropriate syringes.
• Label all vials and syringes.
• Don’t leave insulin vials on counters or on top of medication carts; return them to the appropriate storage location.
• Anticipate and address problems that may arise with this transition.