Effexor XR

On July 23, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it needed more information before it would approve Wyeth’s experimental drug “Pristiq,” which is used to treat hot flashes and other signs of menopause. The FDA issued Pristiq an “approvable letter,” an indication the agency thinks the drug could be approved at a later date with more safety information.

Pristiq is derived from Wyeth’s antidepressant Effexor XR, which is set to face generic competition in 2010. Wyeth hopes Pristiq will offset lost sales.