Industry Briefs

FDA Issues Warning Over Brintellix, Brilinta Confusion

On July 30 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to health care professionals and patients concerning reports of confusion between the antidepressant Brintellix (vortioxetine) and the anti-blood clotting medication Brilinta(ticagrelor). The confusion has resulted in the wrong medication being prescribed or dispensed. The FDA has determined that the main reason for the confusion between the two medications—with extremely different indications—is the similarity in the marketed names of the drugs.

To reduce the risk of name confusion, the FDA recommends that health care professionals include the generic name of the medication in addition to the brand name and the indication for use on prescriptions. The agency also recommends that patients check their prescriptions to ensure that the correct medication was dispensed.

FDA Approves New Injection Site for Abilify Maintena

In late July, the FDA approved injection of Abilify Maintena (aripriprazole) in the deltoid arm muscle. Health care providers will now have the option to administer the long-acting injectable antipsychotic in the gluteal or deltoid muscle when treating patients with schizophrenia.

Abilify is a once-monthly injection of a dopamine D2 partial agonist approved to treat patients with schizophrenia. It was originally approved by the FDA for only gluteal injection in February 2013. ■