Superseded by The Medical Letter "Antiviral Drugs for Influenza" - Issue 1589, January 13, 2020Antiviral drugs can be used for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza. Frequently updated...

The FDA has approved betrixaban (Bevyxxa – Portola), a once-daily, oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor, for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adults hospitalized for an acute...

The FDA has approved Fiasp (Novo Nordisk), a new formulation of insulin aspart, to improve glycemic control in adults with diabetes. Fiasp is described by the manufacturer as...

The FDA has approved an extended-release intramuscular suspension formulation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist triptorelin (Triptodur – Arbor/Debiopharm) for...

The immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda – Merck), a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor, has been granted accelerated approval by the FDA for use in adults and...

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most frequent GI condition encountered in the outpatient setting; it affects about 20% of the US population. Heartburn and regurgitation are the...

View the Comparison Table: Drugs for GERD and Peptic Ulcer Disease

The FDA has approved a two-dose hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (Heplisav-B – Dynavax) for use in adults ≥18 years old. The three other HBV vaccines marketed in the US are usually...

The FDA has approved semaglutide (Ozempic – Novo Nordisk), a long-acting injectable GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, for once-weekly treatment of adults with type 2...

The FDA has approved an oral powder formulation of the amino acid L-glutamine (Endari – Emmaus) to reduce the acute complications of sickle cell disease in patients ≥5 years old....

The FDA has approved the oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib (Nerlynx – Puma Biotechnology) for extended adjuvant treatment of adults with early-stage, human epidermal growth factor...

A reader asked whether healthcare providers should avoid prescribing the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) olmesartan medoxomil (Benicar, and others) because it can cause severe GI adverse...

The FDA has warned that the IV emulsion formulation of the substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist rolapitant (Varubi) has been associated in postmarketing reports with serious...

Nonopioid drugs can be used in the treatment of many nociceptive and neuropathic pain conditions. Use of opioids for pain will be reviewed in a future issue.

View the Comparison Table: Some Nonopioid Analgesics for Pain

The FDA has approved benralizumab (Fasenra – AstraZeneca), a humanized monoclonal antibody selective for the interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor, for add-on maintenance treatment of severe...

The FDA has approved a subcutaneous (SC) extended-release formulation of the mu-opioid receptor partial agonist and kappa-opioid receptor antagonist buprenorphine (Sublocade –...

The FDA has approved Odactra (ALK), a sublingual allergen extract, for immunotherapy in adults 18-65 years old with house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic rhinitis, with or without...

The FDA has approved Haegarda (CSL Bering), a human plasma-derived C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH), for prophylaxis against hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adolescents and adults....

Anticoagulants are the drugs of choice for treatment and prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), collectively referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE). Updated...

View the Comparison Table: Some Parenteral Anticoagulants for VTE

View the Comparison Table: Some Oral Anticoagulants for VTE

The FDA has approved delafloxacin (Baxdela – Melinta), an anionic fluoroquinolone antibiotic, for oral and parenteral treatment of adults with acute bacterial skin and skin structure...

The FDA has approved secnidazole oral granules (Solosec – Symbiomix/Lupin) for single-dose treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in adult women.

The FDA has approved voretigene neparvovec-rzyl intraocular suspension (Luxturna – Spark), an adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy, for treatment of confirmed biallelic...

The FDA has approved Qtern (AstraZeneca), a fixed-dose combination of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin (Farxiga) and the dipeptidyl peptidase-4...

The FDA has approved two new drugs for treatment of specific subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Vyxeos (Jazz Pharmaceuticals) is a liposomal fixed-dose combination of daunorubicin and...

View the Comparison Table: Some Systemic Fluoroquinolones (online only)

View the Comparison Table: Some Antibiotics for MRSA Skin and Skin Structure Infections

Use of nonopioid drugs for pain was reviewed in a previous issue. For many types of moderate to severe acute pain, acetaminophen and/or an NSAID may be as effective as an opioid. Immediate-release...

View the Comparison Table: Some Oral/Topical Opioid Analgesics

In issue 1540 on nonopioid drugs for pain (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2018; 60:24), we said that nonacetylated salicylates such as diflunisal and salsalate do not interfere with platelet aggregation. That...

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...

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...

The FDA has approved the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor ertugliflozin (Merck) for treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes, both alone (Steglatro) and in fixed-dose...

The FDA has approved an inhalation solution formulation of the long-acting antimuscarinic agent (LAMA) glycopyrrolate (Lonhala Magnair – Sunovion) for maintenance treatment of chronic...

The FDA has approved brigatinib (Alunbrig – Takeda), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell...

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to copanlisib (Aliqopa – Bayer), an intravenously administered phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, for treatment of adults with...

The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine use of the following vaccines in adults residing in the US: influenza, tetanus/diphtheria alone (Td) and in...

View the Expanded Table: Some Vaccines Recommended for Use in Adults

The FDA has approved a lower-dose epinephrine auto-injector (Auvi-Q 0.1 mg – Kaléo) for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis in children weighing 7.5-15 kg (16.5-33 lbs). It is the first...

The FDA has approved Clenpiq (Ferring), a low-volume oral solution that contains sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid, for colon cleansing prior to colonoscopy in...

The FDA has approved Trelegy Ellipta (GSK), a fixed-dose combination of the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) fluticasone furoate, the long-acting antimuscarinic agent (LAMA) umeclidinium, and...

The FDA has warned that use of the macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin (Biaxin, and generics) may increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with heart disease.

Essure (Bayer) is the only nonsurgical, permanent contraceptive available in the US. The coil-like devices are placed hysteroscopically in both fallopian tubes and, after several months,...

The FDA has approved inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa – Pfizer), a humanized anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody conjugated to the cytotoxic antibiotic calicheamicin, for treatment of...

Adults with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2 are considered overweight. Those with a BMI ≥30 are considered obese. The initial recommendation for any weight loss effort is...

View the Comparison Table: Some FDA-Approved Drugs for Weight Management

Coagulation factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo (andexanet alfa; Andexxa – Portola) has received accelerated approval from the FDA for urgent reversal of the anticoagulant effect...

The FDA has approved erenumab-aooe (Aimovig – Amgen/Novartis), a once-monthly, subcutaneously-injected, monoclonal antibody against the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor, for...

The FDA has approved a fixed-dose combination of meropenem, a carbapenem antibiotic, and vaborbactam, a new beta-lactamase inhibitor (Vabomere – Melinta), for IV treatment of adults with...

The FDA has warned that the antiepileptic and mood-stabilizing drug lamotrigine (Lamictal, and generics) can rarely cause hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a serious and potentially...

The FDA has approved the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) pitavastatin magnesium (Zypitamag – Zydus) for use in adults with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia. The FDA...

The FDA has approved an extended-release oral suspension formulation of amphetamine (Adzenys ER – Neos) for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients ≥6...

The FDA has approved Admelog (Sanofi-Aventis), an insulin lispro product similar to Humalog (Lilly), which went off patent in 2013.Approval of Admelog was based on...

Management of both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) is based on disease severity. Disease location (proctitis, left-sided colitis, or extensive colitis) also plays a role in drug...

View Table: Drugs for Ulcerative Colitis

View Table: Drugs for Crohn's Disease

View Table: Safety of Drugs for IBD in Pregnancy

View Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The FDA has approved lofexidine (Lucemyra – US WorldMeds/Salix), a centrally acting alpha₂ receptor agonist, to manage withdrawal symptoms in adults abruptly stopping opioid...

The FDA has approved two new ophthalmic drugs for reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: latanoprostene bunod (Vyzulta –...

The FDA has approved the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor baricitinib (Olumiant – Lilly) for oral treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that has...

The FDA has approved vancomycin oral solution (Firvanq – Cutis Pharma) for treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus...

In our article on abuse-deterrent opioids (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2017; 59:95), the information on Targiniq ER in Table 1 is incorrect. The drug, which is not available in the US, is a...

The FDA has approved axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta – Kite) for treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory CD19+ large B-cell lymphoma after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy....

Apalutamide (Erleada – Janssen) has received accelerated approval from the FDA for treatment of nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. It is the first drug to be approved in...

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used for initial treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to achieve clinical remission and prevent irreversible joint damage (see Table 1)....

View Expanded Table: Conventional DMARDs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

View Expanded Table: Biologic Agents for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is associated with sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer. Sunscreens are widely used to reduce these risks, but some questions remain about...

The FDA has approved Biktarvy (Gilead), a once-daily, fixed-dose combination of bictegravir, a new integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), and the nucleoside reverse transcriptase...

The FDA has approved a 6% otic suspension formulation of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Otiprio – Otonomy) for single-dose treatment of acute otitis externa...

The FDA has required changes in the labeling of all systemic fluoroquinolone antibiotics to strengthen warnings about the risk of severe hypoglycemia and mental health effects associated with their...

Pharmacologic management of opioid withdrawal symptoms can reduce the intensity of drug craving and improve treatment retention in patients with opioid use disorder who will receive maintenance...

The FDA has approved a single-injection hyaluronic acid gel (Durolane – Bioventus) and an extended-release (ER) formulation of the synthetic corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide...

View Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Management of Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

The FDA has approved Roxybond (Daiichi Sankyo), an short-acting (SA) oxycodone formulation with abuse-deterrent properties, for treatment of pain requiring management with an opioid....

The FDA has approved an estradiol softgel vaginal insert (Imvexxy – TherapeuticsMD) for treatment of postmenopausal women with moderate to severe dyspareunia due to vulvovaginal atrophy...

The FDA has approved an extended-release tablet formulation of amantadine (Osmolex ER – Vertical/Osmotica) for once-daily treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and drug-induced...

The FDA has approved obiltoxaximab (Anthim – Elusys Therapeutics), a toxin-targeting monoclonal antibody, for treatment of inhalational anthrax in combination with antibacterial drugs...

The FDA has approved Sinuva (Intersect ENT), a sinus implant that gradually releases the corticosteroid mometasone furoate over a 90-day period, for treatment of nasal polyps in adults who...

The FDA has approved lutetium Lu 177 dotatate (Lutathera – Advanced Accelerator Applications), a radiolabeled somatostatin analog, for treatment of somatostatin receptor-positive...

The recommendations for treatment of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are listed in tables 1 and 2. Vaccination against VZV was reviewed in a previous issue.

The FDA has approved hydrogen peroxide 40% topical solution (Eskata – Aclaris Therapeutics) for treatment of raised seborrheic keratoses (SKs) in adults. It is the first drug to be...

The FDA has approved elagolix (Orilissa – AbbVie), an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, for management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis.

View Table: Mechanisms of Drug Interactions

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the etonogestrel implant are the most effective reversible contraceptive methods available. Hormonal oral contraceptives, patches, rings, and injectables are also...

Superseded by The Medical Letter "Influenza Vaccine for 2019-2020" - Issue 1583, October 21, 2019Routine annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6...

The FDA has approved the fixed-dose combination of tezacaftor and ivacaftor (Symdeko – Vertex) for oral treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients ≥12 years old who are homozygous...

The FDA has approved an over-the-counter (OTC) 0.025% ophthalmic formulation of the selective alpha₂-adrenergic agonist brimonidine tartrate (Lumify – Bausch & Lomb) for...

The FDA has approved two subcutaneously injected calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists, fremanezumab-vfrm (Ajovy – Teva) and galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality – Lilly),...

The FDA has approved the new aminoglycoside antibiotic plazomicin (Zemdri – Achaogen) for IV treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs). Plazomicin is active...

The FDA has approved cannabidiol oral solution (Epidiolex – Greenwich Biosciences) for treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in patients ≥2...

The FDA has approved the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor acalabrutinib (Calquence – AstraZeneca) for oral treatment of relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Acalabrutinib is...

The FDA has approved the anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris – Seattle Genetics) for use in combination with chemotherapy for IV treatment of adults with...

Persons planning to travel outside the US should be up to date on routine vaccines and, depending on their destination, duration of travel, and planned activities, may also receive certain...

View the Expanded Table: Some Vaccines for Travelers

No vaccines against tickborne encephalitis (TBE) or dengue are available in the US, but vaccines have been licensed in some other countries.

The FDA has approved baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza – Shionogi/Genentech), the first polymerase acidic (PA) endonuclease inhibitor, for single-dose, oral treatment of acute uncomplicated...

The FDA has approved a new 2.5-mg formulation of the direct factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban (Xarelto – Janssen) for use in combination with low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of major...

The FDA has approved sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (Lokelma – AstraZeneca), an oral potassium binder that exchanges hydrogen and sodium for potassium in the gastrointestinal (GI) lumen,...

The FDA has approved (Giapreza) (La Jolla), an IV formulation of synthetic angiotensin II, to increase blood pressure in adults with septic or other vasodilatory shock, such as...

Some readers have questioned our characterization of opioid withdrawal as not life-threatening (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2018; 60:137). While death during opioid withdrawal is unusual, it is possible —...

The FDA has approved Cinvanti (Heron), an IV emulsion formulation of the substance P/neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist aprepitant, for prevention of acute and delayed...

The FDA has approved Juluca (ViiV Healthcare/Janssen), a fixed-dose combination of the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) dolutegravir (Tivicay) and the non-nucleoside...

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended for initial treatment of chronic insomnia. Pharmacologic treatment should be used in addition to CBT-I when CBT-I alone is not...

Acute cough (<3 weeks in duration) generally does not require pharmacologic treatment, especially in children. Suppression of productive cough may be harmful. Management of patients with cough...

View the Expanded Table: Some Oral Hypnotics for Insomnia

View the 2018 Annual Index