
Prescription medicines: new or extended uses, or new combinations of registered medicines
Over time, the approved therapeutic uses of prescription medicines registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) can change.
Changes commonly include 'new uses' and 'extended uses'. A new use is where an existing medicine is approved for an additional therapeutic use. An extended use is where an existing medicine is approved to treat a broader range of patients, e.g. wider age range.These types of changes are called 'extension of indications'. A 'new combination' is where two or more previously registered medicines are combined into a single product.
The decision to approve an 'extension of indications' or 'new combination' for registered prescription medicines follows a comprehensive review by TGA scientists and clinicians on the safety and efficacy of the proposed use of the product.
Throughout the year we will be publishing information relating to new or extended uses of registered prescription medicines on the TGA website.
The trade name, sponsor and active ingredient for each medicine reflects the information entered into the ARTG when the new or extended use was first approved. This webpage provides a summary of the new or extended indications. For a full list of registered indications for each product please refer to the Product Information database.
Registration of new or extended uses of registered medicines
Orphan drug
2017: Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan
Previous years: 2016
December 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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STIVARGA regorafenib Sponsor: Bayer Australia Ltd Stivarga is now also indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. |
21 December 2017 |
Medicine | Date registered |
XALKORI crizotinib Sponsor: Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd Xalkori is now also indicated for the treatment of patients with ROS1-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). |
13 December 2017 |
Medicine | Date registered |
MAVENCLAD cladribine Sponsor: Merck Serono Australia Pty Ltd Mavenclad is now also indicated for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to reduce the frequency of clinical relapses and to delay the progression of physical disability. Following completion of the 2 treatment courses, no further treatment is required in years 3 and 4. Re-initiation of therapy after year 4 has not been studied. |
11 December 2017 |
Medicine | Date registered |
ABILIFY MAINTENA aripiprazole as monohydrate Sponsor: Lundbeck Australia Pty Ltd Abilify Maintena is now also indicated for maintenance treatment to prevent the recurrence of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in adult patients as monotherapy. |
05 December 2017 |
GAZYVA obinutuzumab Sponsor: Roche Products Pty Ltd Gazyva, in combination with chemotherapy followed by Gazyva maintenance, is now also indicated for the treatment of patients with previously untreated advanced follicular lymphoma. |
05 December 2017 |
November 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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TASIGNA nilotinib Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd Tasigna is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:
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24 November 2017 |
AVASTIN bevacizumab Sponsor: Roche Products Pty Limited Avastin, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel or in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine, is now also indicated for the treatment of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. |
23 November 2017 |
ACTEMRA tocilizumab (rch) Sponsor: Roche Products Pty Limited Actemra is now also indicated for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adult patients. |
16 November 2017 |
October 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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SOLIQUA insulin glargine (rbe) and lixisenatide Sponsor: Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd Soliqua is indicated in combination with metformin for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycaemic control when this has not been provided by metformin alone or metformin combined with another oral glucose lowering medicinal product or with basal insulin. |
27 October 2017 |
ELIGARD leuprorelin Sponsor: Tolmar Australia Pty Ltd Eligard is now also indicated for the treatment of high-risk localised and locally advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer in combination with radiotherapy. |
12 October 2017 |
September 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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PRALUENT alirocumab (rch) Sponsor: Sanofi Aventis Australia Pty Ltd Praluent is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with one or more of: heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or hypercholesterolemia with high or very high cardiovascular risk.
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26 September 2017 |
KEYTRUDA pembrolizumab (rch) Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited Keytruda as monotherapy is now also indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL): 1. following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or 2. following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option. |
7 September 2017 |
ULTIBRO BREEZHALER 110/50 indacaterol (as maleate) / glycopyrronium (as bromide) Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd Ultibro Breezhaler 110/50 is now also indicated for the reduction of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with a history of exacerbations. |
6 September 2017 |
August 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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FRAXIPARINE nadroparin calcium Sponsor: Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd Fraxiparine is now also indicated for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in high-risk medical patients who are immobilised due to acute illness or hospitalised in an intensive care unit. |
31 August 2017 |
ALOXI palonosetron as hydrochloride Sponsor: Mundipharma Pty Ltd Aloxi is now also indicated for prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for up to 24 hours following surgery. |
22 August 2017 |
LUCENTIS ranibizumab (rbe) Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd Lucentis is now also indicated in adults for the treatment of visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularisation. |
22 August 2017 |
July 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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BLINCYTO blinatumomab Sponsor: Amgen Australia Pty Ltd Blincyto is now also indicated for the treatment of paediatric patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). |
28 July 2017 |
LENVIMA lenvatinib Sponsor: Eisai Australia Pty Limited Lenvima is now also indicated in combination with everolimus for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma whose disease has progressed following one prior vascular endothelial growth factor targeted therapy. |
27 July 2017 |
OPDIVO nivolumab Sponsor: Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty Ltd Opdivo as monotherapy is now also indicated for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck in adults progressing on or after platinum based therapy. |
11 July 2017 |
TRAJENTAMET linagliptin / metformin hydrochloride Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd Trajentamet is now also indicated in combination with a sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor (i.e. triple combination therapy) as an adjunct to diet and exercise in patients inadequately controlled on their maximum tolerated dose of metformin and an SGLT2 inhibitor. |
6 July 2017 |
TRAJENTA linagliptin Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd Trajenta is now also indicated in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycaemic control in conjunction with diet and exercise, as add on to metformin plus a sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. |
6 July 2017 |
MENVEO meningococcal (Groups A, C, W-135 and Y) oligosaccharide CRM197 conjugate vaccines Sponsor: GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd Menveo is now also indicated for active immunisation of infants and children (from 2 months of age), adolescents and adults to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W135 and Y. |
5 July 2017 |
June 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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OZURDEX dexamethasone Sponsor: Allergan Australia Pty Ltd Ozurdex is now also indicated for the treatment of macular oedema due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) or Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), and also indicated for non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. |
16 June 2017 |
XELJANZ tofacitinib (as citrate) Sponsor: Pfizer Australia Xeljanz is now also indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response or are intolerant to methotrexate. Xeljanz can be used alone or in combination with nonbiological DMARDs, including methotrexate. |
6 June 2017 |
CEREZYME imiglucerase-rch Sponsor: Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd Cerezyme is now also indicated for long-term enzyme replacement therapy for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of non-neuronopathic (Type 1) or chronic neuronopathic (Type 3) Gaucher disease who exhibit clinically significant non-neurological manifestations of the disease. |
6 June 2017 |
May 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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OPDIVO nivolumab Sponsor: Bristol-Myers Squibb Aust Pty Ltd Opdivo, as monotherapy, is now also indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) after autologous stem cell transplant and treatment with brentuximab vedotin. |
30 May 2017 |
ATOZET/ZETEZEs ezetimibe and atorvastatin Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited Atozet/Zeteze is now also indicated in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and a history of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) taking their maximum tolerated dose of atorvastatin and in need of additional lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the expectation of a modest further reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events following at least one year of therapy. |
24 May 2017 |
April 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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JARDIAMET empagliflozin / metformin hydrochloride Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd Empagliflozin is now also indicated in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death. To prevent cardiovascular deaths, empagliflozin should be used in conjunction with other measures to reduce cardiovascular risk in line with the current standard of care. |
28 Apr 2017 |
VIEKIRA PAK-RBV paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir & dasabuvir & ribavirin Sponsor: AbbVie Pty Ltd For the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C infection, including patients with compensated cirrhosis. Duration of therapy and addition of ribavirin are dependent on patient population. |
21 Apr 2017 |
VIEKIRA PAK paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir & dasabuvir Sponsor: AbbVie Pty Ltd For the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C infection, including patients with compensated cirrhosis. Duration of therapy and addition of ribavirin are dependent on patient population. |
21 Apr 2017 |
March 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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JINARC tolvaptan Otsuka Australia Pharmaceutical Pty Ltd To slow the progression of cyst development and renal insufficiency of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1 to 3 at initiation of treatment with evidence of rapidly progressing disease. |
24 Mar 2017 |
KEYTRUDA pembrolizumab (rch) Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited For the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. This indication is approved based on overall response rate and duration of response. Improvements in overall survival, progression-free survival or health-related quality of life have not been established. |
21 Mar 2017 |
PEDEA ibuprofen Sponsor: Emerge Health Pty Ltd For the treatment of haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in preterm newborn infants less than 34 weeks of gestational age. |
14 Mar 2017 |
EPIDUO FORTE adapalene / benzoyl peroxide Sponsor: Galderma Australia Pty Ltd For the cutaneous treatment of acne vulgaris, when comedones, numerous papules and pustules are present in patients 12 years of age and older and the condition has not responded to first line treatment. |
10 Mar 2017 |
KEYTRUDA pembrolizumab Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited For the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) whose tumours express programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) with a ≥50% tumour proportion score (TPS) as determined by a validated test, with no epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic tumour aberrations. |
6 Mar 2017 |
KEYTRUDA pembrolizumab Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited For the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) whose tumours express programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) with a ≥1% tumour proportion score (TPS) as determined by a validated test and who have received platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic tumour aberrations should have received prior therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving Keytruda. |
7 Mar 2017 |
STELARA ustekinumab Sponsor: Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd For the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an inadequate response, lost response, were intolerant to conventional therapy or a TNF alpha antagonist or have medical contraindications to such therapies. |
1 Mar 2017 |
February 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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VEMLIDY tenofovir alafenamide (as fumarate) Sponsor: Gilead Sciences Pty Ltd For the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults. |
22 Feb 2017 |
ZYDELIG idelalisib Sponsor: Gilead Sciences Pty Ltd For use, in combination with ofatumumab, for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) upon relapse in patients for whom chemo-immunotherapy is not considered suitable. |
10 Feb 2017 |
CIMZIA certolizumab pegol (rbe) Sponsor: UCB Australia Pty Ltd. For use in combination with methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis in adults not previously treated with MTX or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). |
9 Feb 2017 |
January 2017
Medicine | Date registered |
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VYTORIN ezetimibe/simvastatin Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited For use in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and a history of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) taking their maximum tolerated dose of simvastatin and in need of additional lowering of LDL-C in the expectation of a modest further reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events following at least one year of therapy. |
20 Jan 2017 |
EZETROL ezetimibe Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited For administration in combination with the maximum tolerated dose of a statin with proven cardiovascular benefit in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and a history of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in need of additional lowering of LDL-C in the expectation of a modest further reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events following at least one year of therapy. |
20 Jan 2017 |
AFINITOR everolimus Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Aust Pty Ltd For the treatment of progressive, unresectable or metastatic, well-differentiated, non-functional neuroendocrine tumours (NET) of gastrointestinal or lung origin in adults. |
20 Jan 2017 |
JARDIANCE empagliflozin Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease. |
18 Jan 2017 |
AMOXICLAV JUNO and JUNOXICLAV amoxicillin sodium and clavulanic acid Sponsor: Juno Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd As an antibiotic alternative to narrow- and broad-spectrum antibiotics for the treatment of infections. |
18 Jan 2017 |
VasoKINOX nitric oxide Sponsor: Biotech Regulatory Solutions In conjunction with ventilator support and other appropriate active substances to selectively decrease pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with perioperative pulmonary hypertension in conjunction with heart surgery. |
16 Jan 2017 |
ACZONE dapsone Sponsor: Allergan Australia Pty Ltd For the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. |
10 Jan 2017 |