Antibacterial drug use in children is associated with a dose-dependent increased risk of acquiring community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), according to the results of a population-based, case-control study reported online August 1 in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Read full article.

A monthly review of the
peer-reviewed literature by
Drug Topics' Editorial Advisor
Anna D. Garrett, PharmD, BCPS. Anna Garrett is manager, Outpatient Clinical Pharmacy Programs, Mission Hospital, Asheville, N.C.

As published in Hospital Pharmacists' Report last week, the third paragraph of this article inaccurately described units of measure. Correction has been made, per Michael Cohen, ISMP. Drug Topics regrets the error and thanks the readers who brought it to our attention. The updated information is presented here. Read full article.

Once-daily oral rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Bayer), a direct factor Xa inhibitor, appears to be as effective as dose-adjusted warfarin in preventing stroke or major embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, according to a study published online August 10 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read full article.

A combination of a thrombolytic agent and DNase, but not either alone, improves the drainage of intrapleural fluid during an infection, researchers report in the August 11th New England Journal of Medicine. Read full article.

FDA has approved brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris, Seattle Genetics) to treat 2 types of lymphoma. Read full article.

FDA has approved 2 new strengths (11.25 mg and 30 mg) for 3-month administration of leuprolide acetate for depot suspension (Lupron Depot-PED, Abbott) for the treatment of children with central precocious puberty (CPP). Read full article.

FDA has approved vemurafenib (Zelboraf, Daiichi Sankyo and Genentech), the second melanoma drug this year to improve overall survival. Vemurafenib is indicated for the treatment of patients with late-stage (metastatic) or unresectable melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Read full article.