The drugs, known generically as darbepoetin and epoetin, were approved to reduce the need for blood transfusions in patients with anemia from chemotherapy.
Zoledronic acid and denosumab are approved to reduce the risk of skeletal-related events (SREs) based on the results of phase III trials in men with metastatic CRPC [ 8– 10].
No drug is currently approved to reduce hyperglycemia in patients with prediabetes; however, colesevelam may be used to further reduce LDL cholesterol in the appropriate patient with prediabetes, with the added benefit of an improvement in hyperglycemia.
Other medications that can be effective include certain drugs that are approved to treat depression, but also reduce hot flashes in women without depression.
To date, chlorhexidine rinse (0.12% w/v) has been approved for use to reduce gingivitis, but not for caries prevention.
Degarelix, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist, has been approved for reducing testosterone to castrate levels in hormone-sensitive disease.
In men with CRPC and bone metastases, two agents (zoledronic acid and denosumab) have been approved for reducing risk of SREs defined as: radiation to the bone, surgery to the bone, fractures, spinal cord compression and (for zoledronic acid only) change in antineoplastic therapy.
Botox has recently been approved for reducing hyperactive bladder.
Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban have been approved for reducing the risk of stroke in patients with nonvalvular AF (NVAF) [ 11– 11].
Moreover, Lovaza®, a drug which contains DHA and EPA, has been approved for use in humans to reduce very high triglycerides levels.
