Superseded by The Medical Letter "Antiviral Drugs for Influenza" - Issue 1589, January 13, 2020Antiviral drugs can be used for treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal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

Tildrakizumab-asmn (Ilumya – Sun), an interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for...

The FDA has approved the subcutaneously injected monoclonal antibody dupilumab (Dupixent – Sanofi/Regeneron) for add-on maintenance treatment of patients ≥12 years old with moderate to...

The FDA has approved three new once-daily fixed-dose antiretroviral drug combinations for treatment of HIV-1 infection. Symfi and Symfi Lo (Mylan) contain the non-nucleoside reverse...

Superseded by The Medical Letter "Expanded Table: Antiviral Drugs for Influenza (online only)" - Issue 1589, January 13, 2020View the Expanded Table: Antiviral Drugs for Seasonal Influenza

The FDA has approved over-the-counter (OTC) sale of inhaled epinephrine (Primatene Mist – Amphastar), a nonselective alpha and beta agonist, for temporary relief of mild symptoms of...

Qbrexza (Dermira), a premoistened cloth containing the long-acting anticholinergic drug glycopyrronium, has been approved by the FDA for once-daily topical treatment of excessive underarm...

The FDA has approved Plenvu (Salix), a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-containing oral powder for reconstitution, for colon cleansing prior to colonoscopy in adults. Plenvu is the first...

The FDA has approved revefenacin (Yupelri – Mylan/Theravance Biopharma), a long-acting antimuscarinic agent (LAMA) administered once daily by standard jet nebulizer, for maintenance...

Monitoring adherence of psychiatric patients to oral medication may be especially difficult. The FDA has approved Abilify MyCite (Otsuka/Proteus), an aripiprazole tablet with an embedded...

Cholesterol management guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force have recently been published. See Table 1 for a brief summary of their...

View the Expanded Table: Lipid-Lowering Drugs

The FDA has approved a manually injected, single-dose, prefilled epinephrine syringe (Symjepi – Adamis/Sandoz) for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. The new device is approved in...

Since 2008, because of safety concerns, the FDA has mandated that long-term cardiovascular outcomes trials be conducted for all new drugs for type 2 diabetes. Reductions in the incidence of...

The FDA has approved fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate (Tavalisse – Rigel), the first spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor, for oral treatment of thrombocytopenia in adults with...

Interim results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial suggest that off-label use of the anticholinergic drug oxybutynin may reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes in women with...

The FDA has required manufacturers of the oral P2Y₁₂ platelet inhibitors clopidogrel (Plavix, and generics), prasugrel (Effient, and generics), and...

Patients may ask about taking elderberry for prevention and treatment of influenza. Products containing elderberry are promoted for relief of cold and flu symptoms and as an immune system booster.

Drugs for gout reduce the pain and inflammation of acute flares and lower serum urate levels in order to prevent recurrent flares, development of tophi, and joint damage.

The FDA has approved an auto-injector formulation of testosterone enanthate (Xyosted – Antares Pharma) for once-weekly subcutaneous self-administration in adult males with conditions...

The FDA has approved rifamycin (Aemcolo – Cosmo/ Aries), a minimally absorbed oral antibiotic, for treatment of adults with travelers' diarrhea (TD) caused by noninvasive strains of...

View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Gout

A lidocaine 1.8% patch (ZTlido – Scilex) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). A lidocaine 5% patch (Lidoderm, and...

Sarecycline (Seysara — Allergan), a new oral tetracycline antibiotic, has been approved by the FDA for once-daily treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne...

A reader has questioned why the label for the COX-2 selective NSAID celecoxib (Celebrex, and generics), which contains a sulfonamide moiety, states that it is contraindicated for use in...

The FDA has approved a sublingual tablet (Nocdurna – Ferring) and a nasal spray (Noctiva – Avadel) formulation of desmopressin acetate for treatment of nocturia due to nocturnal...

The FDA has approved changes to the labeling of erenumab-aooe (Aimovig)1, a once-monthly, subcutaneously injected calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) blocker approved in 2018 for...

Patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% are considered to have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Patients with a LVEF ≤50% and symptoms of heart...

The FDA has approved esketamine (Spravato – Janssen), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, for intranasal treatment (in conjunction with an oral antidepressant) of adults...

View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for HFrEF

Patients with seasonal allergies often experience nasal itching and congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and itchy, watery eyes. Oral, intranasal, and ophthalmic preparations are widely available...

Eravacycline (Xerava – Tetraphase), a new synthetic tetracycline antibiotic, has been approved by the FDA for IV treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) in adults....

The FDA has approved a 1% cream formulation of ozenoxacin (Xepi – Cutanea), a nonfluorinated quinolone antibiotic, for treatment of impetigo caused by Staphylococcus aureus or...

The goal of drug therapy for type 2 diabetes is to achieve and maintain a near-normal glycated hemoglobin (A1C) concentration without inducing hypoglycemia; for most patients, the target A1C is...

The FDA has approved the GABA_A receptor modulator brexanolone (Zulresso – Sage Therapeutics) for IV treatment of postpartum depression (PPD). Brexanolone is the first drug to...

The FDA has approved siponimod (Mayzent – Novartis), a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, for oral treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS),...

Tegaserod maleate (Zelnorm), a 5-HT₄ receptor partial agonist that increases gastrointestinal (GI) motility, was approved by the FDA in 2002 for short-term treatment of irritable...

View the Expanded Table: Some Available Insulins

The FDA has approved Inbrija (Acorda), an orally inhaled dry-powder formulation of levodopa, for intermittent treatment of "off" episodes in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) being...

The FDA has approved omadacycline (Nuzyra – Paratek), a semisynthetic tetracycline derivative, for once-daily IV and oral treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CAP) and...

The FDA has approved emicizumab-kxwh (Hemlibra – Genentech), a subcutaneously injected, factor IXa- and X-directed antibody, for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce bleeding...

The FDA has approved prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs (Jeuveau – Evolus) for temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and/or...

The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi – Abbvie) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Risankizumab is the third...

The FDA has approved romosozumab-aqqg (Evenity – Amgen), a sclerostin inhibitor, for once-monthly subcutaneous (SC) treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at high...

The FDA has approved the 5-HT4 receptor agonist prucalopride (Motegrity – Shire) for treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults. Prucalopride is the only drug currently...

View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Mild to moderate psoriasis can be treated with topical drugs or with phototherapy. Patients with moderate to severe disease generally require systemic therapy.

View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Psoriasis

Most colorectal cancers arise from localized adenomatous polyps in a process that may take 10 years or more. Early detection and removal of a precancerous colonic lesion (polyp) can...

The FDA has approved Bijuva (TherapeuticsMD), a fixed-dose combination of estradiol and progesterone, for oral treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) due to...

The oral antimalarial tafenoquine succinate, a long-acting analog of primaquine, has been approved by the FDA in 2 different strengths. Arakoda (100-mg tablets; Sixty Degrees) is indicated...

In our Drugs for Chronic Heart Failure article,1 our description of the PARADIGM-HF trial comparing the combination of the ARB valsartan and the neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril (Entresto)...

View the Expanded Table: Drugs for Prophylaxis of Malaria

Smoking tobacco remains the primary preventable cause of death in the US. Smoking cessation often requires both pharmacotherapy and behavioral support.

The FDA has approved Apadaz (KemPharm), a short-acting, fixed-dose combination of benzhydrocodone and acetaminophen, for short-term management (≤14 days) of acute pain severe enough to...

View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Smoking Cessation

The FDA has approved onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi (Zolgensma – Avexis), an adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy, for one-time IV treatment of children <2 years old who...

The FDA has approved bremelanotide (Vyleesi – Amag), a melanocortin receptor agonist, for subcutaneous treatment of premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual...

The FDA has approved cyclosporine 0.09% ophthalmic solution (Cequa – Sun) to increase tear production in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye disease). Restasis, a...

The FDA has approved cladribine (Mavenclad – EMD Serono), a purine antimetabolite, for oral treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including...

In our article on Bijuva, the oral fixed-dose combination of estradiol and progesterone (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2019; 61:99), Table 1 should have included single-ingredient oral formulations...

In our article in issue 1564 on Plenvu for colonoscopy preparation (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2019; 61:11), the comparator drug in the DAYB trial was not Prepopik, but rather...

Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and various phobias) are the most common form of psychiatric illness. They can be treated effectively...

The FDA has approved Jornay PM (Ironshore), a capsule formulation of methylphenidate with a delayed-release outer layer and an extended-release inner layer, for once-nightly treatment of...

On August 6, 2019, the FDA issued a statement on data manipulation/inaccuracy issues with Zolgensma, a virus vector-based gene therapy approved for one-time IV treatment of children <2...

Use of insect repellents is strongly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prevent infections transmitted by...

The FDA has approved solriamfetol (Sunosi – Jazz), a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI), to improve wakefulness in adults with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)...

The FDA has approved Dovato (ViiV), a fixed-dose combination of the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) dolutegravir (Tivicay) and the nucleoside reverse transcriptase...

The FDA has required updates to the labeling of the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR) based on interim results of a postmarketing safety trial that showed an...

Treatment of atrial fibrillation includes anticoagulation, rate control, and rhythm control. US guidelines were recently updated.

Lefamulin (Xenleta – Nabriva), a semisynthetic pleuromutilin antibiotic, has been approved by the FDA for IV and oral treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) in...

The FDA has approved glucagon nasal powder (Baqsimi – Lilly) for treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients ≥4 years old with diabetes. Baqsimi is the first noninjectable...

The FDA has approved Duaklir Pressair (Circassia), a fixed-dose combination of the long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) aclidinium bromide and the...

The FDA has approved Qmiiz ODT (TerSera), an orally disintegrating tablet formulation of the prescription NSAID meloxicam. Qmiiz ODT, like conventional oral meloxicam tablets...

The lipid-lowering drug rosuvastatin is now available in a sprinkle capsule formulation (Ezallor Sprinkle – Sun Pharma). Rosuvastatin tablets (Crestor, and generics) have been...

View the Expanded Table: Statins

Patients who receive pretravel advice can reduce their risk for many travel-related conditions. Vaccines recommended for travelers are reviewed in a separate issue.

View the Expanded Table: Antibiotics for Travelers' Diarrhea

View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Altitude Illness, Jet Lag, and Motion Sickness

Superseded by The Medical Letter "Influenza Vaccine for 2020-2021" - Issue 1607, September 21, 2020Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6...

An oral formulation of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide (Rybelsus – Novo Nordisk) has been approved by the FDA for once-daily treatment of type 2 diabetes...

Diet, exercise, and weight loss can improve glycemic control, but almost all patients with type 2 diabetes eventually require drug therapy. Treating to a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) concentration...

Cannabis (marijuana) contains more than 60 pharmacologically active cannabinoids; delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the best known. THC is the main...

The FDA has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq – Abbvie), an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, for treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have...

Turmeric is a spice derived from the Curcuma longa plant. Dietary supplements and foods containing turmeric are widely promoted for relief of pain and to improve joint mobility, immunity,...

The FDA has approved a new formulation of glucagon (Gvoke – Xeris) for subcutaneous treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients ≥2 years old with diabetes. Conscious patients with...

This issue includes reviews of drugs for glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), bacterial conjunctivitis, and dry eye disease. Allergic conjunctivitis is reviewed in a separate issue.

The FDA has approved trifarotene 0.005% cream (Aklief – Galderma) for topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients ≥9 years old. Trifarotene is the fourth topical retinoid to be...

Annovera (TherapeuticsMD), a contraceptive vaginal ring that releases segesterone acetate, a synthetic progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, was approved by the FDA in 2018 and is now...

The FDA has approved letermovir (Prevymis – Merck), a cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA terminase complex inhibitor, for prophylaxis of CMV infection and disease in CMV-seropositive adult...

The FDA has approved darolutamide (Nubeqa – Bayer), an androgen receptor inhibitor, for oral treatment of nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Darolutamide is the...

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy associated with psoriasis. A recent review found that about 20% of patients with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. Updated guidelines...

View the 2019 Annual Index