Highlights of Changes in Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective January 2012
Anticonvulsants Vimpat (lacosamide) was switched from a non-preferred to a preferred agent for the treatment of seizures. Antidepressants, Other Effexor XR (venlafaxine) is now a preferred agent and venlafaxine ER capsules have been switched from preferred to non-preferred. Bronchodilators Proventil HFA is now a preferred agent and Ventolin HFA is now a non-preferred agent. Maxair and ProAir HFA remain preferred agents. Intranasal Rhinitis Agents Multiple drugs switched from non-preferred to preferred status: Astepro, Patanase, Beconase AQ, flunisolide, and Nasacort AQ. Ophthalmic Antibiotic-Steroid Combinations New class of drugs on the PDL. Preferred agents are: Blephamide (sulfacetamide/prednisolone), neomycin/polymyxin/dexamethasone, Pred-G (gentamicin/prednisolone), sulfacetamide/prednisolone, Tobradex ointment, tobramycin/dexamethasone, and Zylet (loteprednol/tobramycin). Otic Anti-Infectives and Anesthetics New class of drugs on the PDL. Preferred agents that do not require prior authorization are otic acetic acid and acetic acid/aluminum. The non-preferred agent that requires trial and failure of a preferred agent is otic acetic acid/hydrocortisone.