Trends in outpatient prescription drug use and related costs in the US: 1998-2003.

Objective: To present a brief synopsis of trends in the number of prescriptions and retail costs of outpatient drugs dispensed in the US between 1998 and 2003.

Methods: Data were extracted from IMS Health, the National Prescription Audit Plus and the National Disease and Therapeutic Index databases.

Results: In 1998, 2.

Detection of systemic hypersensitivity to drugs using standard guinea pig assays.

The most commonly used assays designed to detect either skin or systemic immune-based hypersensitivity reactions are those using guinea pigs (GP). We obtained data from various FDA records to evaluate the correlation between GP assay results and reported post-marketing systemic hypersensitivity reactions. We examined the new drug application (NDA) reviews of approved drugs for the results of GP assays.

Use of medications for erectile dysfunction in the United States, 1996 through 2001.

Purpose: We describe the use during 1996 through 2001 of the primary medications approved in the United States for treatment of erectile dysfunction, namely alprostadil injection and urethral suppository, and sildenafil. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two pharmaceutical research data bases, the National Prescription Audit Plus, and National Disease and Therapeutic Index, were accessed and analyzed. Ancillary data were obtained from 2 health plans.

Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) in the United States: rapid increase from 1992 through 2000.

Background: Isotretinoin, a drug approved to treat severe recalcitrant nodular acne, has been marketed in the United States since 1982. The drug is an effective treatment for acne that is refractory to other therapies, but it is a teratogen and can cause serious side effects.

Objective: Our purpose was to describe trends in the use of isotretinoin in the United States from marketing through year 2000 and summarize characteristics of patients and prescribers.