1
In Brief: New Warning for the RSV Vaccines Arexvy and Abrysvo
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 17, 2025; (Issue 1722)
The FDA has required a new warning in the labels of the
recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines
Arexvy (GSK) and Abrysvo (Pfizer) about an increased
risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 42 days
of administration of either vaccine. Both vaccines
are FDA-approved to prevent lower respiratory tract
disease (LRTD) caused by RSV in adults.Abrysvo is
also approved for use in pregnant women at 32-36
weeks' gestation to prevent RSV-associated LRTD in
their infants from birth through 6 months of age.
2
In Brief: Anaphylaxis with Glatiramer Acetate
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 17, 2025; (Issue 1722)
The FDA has required a new boxed warning in the label
of the subcutaneously injected immunomodulatory
drug glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa, and
generics) about a risk of anaphylaxis. Glatiramer has
been used for years to treat relapsing forms of multiple
sclerosis (MS).
3
Influenza Vaccine for 2024-2025
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 16, 2024; (Issue 1711)
Annual vaccination in the US against influenza A and
B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months
old without a contraindication. Influenza vaccines
available in the US for the 2024-2025 season are
listed in Table 2.
4
Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 3, 2025; (Issue 1721)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder
characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered
bowel habits, often accompanied by bloating. IBS
is classified by its predominant bowel symptom:
constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), mixed type
(IBS-M), or unclassified (IBS-U). Since the exact cause
of IBS is unknown, the goal of treatment is symptom
control. Some over-the-counter (OTC) products and
prescription drugs for IBS are listed in Tables 1-4. The
safety of these drugs during pregnancy and lactation
is described in Table 5 (online only).
5
In Brief: Alternatives to Adderall
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 28, 2022; (Issue 1664)
The short-acting formulation of mixed amphetamine
salts (Adderall, and generics) FDA-approved for
treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and narcolepsy, is currently in short supply in
the US. Until an adequate supply is restored, patients
may be looking for alternatives.
6
Figure 1: Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Adults (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 3, 2025; (Issue 1721)
View Figure: Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Adults
7
Comparison Chart: Safety of Drugs for IBS in Pregnancy and Lactation (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 3, 2025; (Issue 1721)
View the Comparison Chart: Safety of Drugs for IBS in Pregnancy and Lactation
8
Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Abdominal Pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 3, 2025; (Issue 1721)
View the Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Abdominal Pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
9
Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 3, 2025; (Issue 1721)
View the Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)
10
Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D) (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 3, 2025; (Issue 1721)
View the Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D)