New antimicrobial agents approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 and new indications for previously approved agents.

1 Apr 04 Ketek (tablets) Telithromycin Aventis For treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of designated microorganisms for patients 18 yr old: acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis; for acute bacterial sinusitis due to S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, or Staphylococcus aureus; for communityacquired pneumonia (mild to moderate) due to S. pneumoniae (including multidrug-resistant strains), H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae 17 May 04 Tindamax (tablets) Tinidazole Presutti Laboratories For treatment of trichomoniasis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis in females and males; for giardiasis caused by Giardia duodenalis (Giardia lamblia) in adult and pediatric patients 3 yr old; for intestinal amebiasis and amebic liver abscess caused by Entamoeba histolytica in adults and pediatric patients 3 yr old 25 May 04 Xifaxan (tablets) Rifaximin Salix Pharmaceuticals For treatment of patients 12 yr of age with traveler’s diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli 23 Jun 04 Zyvox (tablets, injection, oral suspension) Linezolid Pfizer For community-acquired pneumonia or nosocomial pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae, including multidrug-resistant strains 14 Jul 04 Levaquin (tablets, injection, oral solution) Levofloxacin Ortho-McNeil For community-acquired pneumonia due to S. pneumoniae, including multidrug-resistant strains