In this week's round-up: golimumab for arthritis; new opiod available and antiepiletic launched
Golimumab for arthritis
Draft guidance recommends golimumab as an option for treating rheumatoid arthritis in combination with methotrexate for adults whose rheumatoid arthritis has responded inadequately to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including methotrexate. For adults whose rheumatoid arthritis has responded inadequately to other DMARDs, including a TNF inhibitor, golimumab in combination with methotrexate is also provisionally recommended as a treatment option.
NICE appraisal, ‘Golimumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis´, 12 May 2011
New opiod available
A first-in-class painkiller for the oral treatment of adults with severe chronic pain that can only be adequately managed with opioid analgesics has been launched in the UK.
Tapentadol prolonged release is the first in a new class of centrally acting analgesics called that has both ?-opioid receptor agonism and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition modes of action. Tapentadol is a schedule 2 controlled drug. The cost is equivalent to oxycodone controlled release at usual daily doses.
Tapentadol SPC, Grünenthal, 16 May 2011
Antiepiletic launched
GlaxoSmithKline has launched retigabine, the first in a new class of anti-epileptic drug for the adjunct treatment of adults with partial-onset seizures.
Retigabine is the first and currently only AED to target neuronal potassium channelswhich are involved in inhibitory mechanisms in the brain, and are thought to have a role in seizure control.
Trobalt summary of product characteristics. GlaxoSmithKline, 13 May 2011.