The FDA has approved deutetrabenazine (Austedo – Teva), a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, for treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease and, more recently, for treatment of tardive dyskinesia in adults. It is the second VMAT2 inhibitor to be approved for each of these indications; tetrabenazine (Xenazine, and generics) was approved earlier for Huntington's chorea1 and valbenazine (Ingrezza) was recently approved for treatment of adults with tardive dyskinesia.2

HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE — Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the huntingtin (HTT) gene that encodes the huntingtin protein. No available treatment slows progression of the disease, but symptomatic treatment of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and chorea can improve quality of life. Tetrabenazine...  Continue reading

The FDA has approved ibalizumab-uiyk (Trogarzo – Theratechnologies/TaiMed), a CD4-directed monoclonal antibody, for IV treatment of multidrug-resistant HIV-1 (MDR-HIV) infection in heavily antiretroviral-experienced adults with treatment failure on their current regimen. Ibalizumab-uiyk is the first biologic drug to be approved by the FDA for treatment of HIV-1 infection.

MDR-HIV INFECTION — When full virologic suppression (viral load <50 copies/mL) cannot be achieved in patients with HIV-1 infection because of resistance to all available ... Continue reading