The oral sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator ozanimod (Zeposia – Bristol Myers Squibb) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. It is the first S1P receptor modulator to be approved for treatment of ulcerative colitis. Ozanimod was approved in March 2020 for use in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Antiplatelet drugs are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis. Anticoagulants are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and for prevention of cardioembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Atopic dermatitis (AD; also known as eczema) is frequently associated with other atopic disorders such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergy. It commonly presents in infancy and early childhood and has a relapsing course, often improving by adolescence, but sometimes persisting into (or first appearing in) adulthood or even old age.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the world. Risk factor modification, anticoagulation, rhythm control, and rate control are the four pillars of its management. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines on management of AF were updated recently.

Diet, exercise, and weight loss can improve glycemic control, but almost all patients with type 2 diabetes require antihyperglycemic drug therapy. Treating to a target A1C of <7% while minimizing hypoglycemia is recommended to prevent microvascular complications of diabetes (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy). An A1C target of <8% may be appropriate for some older patients.

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for treatment of hypertension were last published in 2018. Treatment of hypertensive urgencies and emergencies is not discussed here.

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 should include elimination of any precipitating factor (e.g., cigarette smoking) and treatment of any underlying cause such as upper airway cough syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, or other pulmonary disease.

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

The US Food and Drug Administration has ordered removal of phenylpropanolamine from over-the-counter cold remedies and weight loss aids. The FDA based its decision on a recent study showing an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke in young women taking the drug.

The FDA has approved an oral solution of the nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol (Hemangeol – Pierre Fabre) for treatment of proliferating infantile hemangiomas.