Cholinesterase inhibitors are now used routinely in patients with dementia. Rivastigmine transdermal system (Exelon Patch - Novartis), a patch formulation of the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine tartrate, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. An oral formulation of rivastigmine tartrate has been available in the US since 2000,2 but gastrointestinal adverse effects possibly related to rapidly rising serum concentrations have limited its use.

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. Eravacycline is structurally similar to tigecycline (Tygacil, and generics), a broad-spectrum tetracycline approved by the FDA for IV treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections, and community-acquired pneumonia. A higher rate of mortality has been reported with use of tigecycline compared to other antibacterial drugs; it should be used only...

The injectable interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi – Abbvie) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) in adults. Risankizumab was approved earlier for treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

The FDA has approved Xifyrm (Azurity) and Qamzova (Nanjing Delova), two new intravenous (IV) formulations of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meloxicam, for use alone or in combination with non-NSAID analgesics for treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults. Anjeso, the first IV formulation of meloxicam, was discontinued in 2022 for commercial reasons.

The FDA has approved ranibizumab (Lucentis - Genentech) as an intravitreal injection for treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ranibizumab is a derivative of bevacizumab (Avastin), which is FDA-approved for intravenous treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer, but has also been used off label for intravitreal treatment of neovascular AMD.

The FDA has approved the marketing of Resperate (InterCure), a device that helps patients breathe slowly, as an adjunct for treatment of hypertension. The FDA does not require proof of effectiveness for approval of devices with minimal potential for harm, such as this one.

Short-acting methylphenidate (MPH) is effective for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but its 3-5 hour duration of action usually requires mid-day dosing in school, which children may find disruptive or stigmatizing.

The FDA has approved a subcutaneous (SC) extended-release formulation of the mu-opioid receptor partial agonist and kappa-opioid receptor antagonist buprenorphine (Sublocade – Indivior) for once-monthly treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder. Sublocade is the first injectable buprenorphine product to be approved in the US. Buprenorphine is also available in sublingual formulations with or without the opioid antagonist naloxone, in a buccal formulation with naloxone, and as a subdermal implant (Probuphine).

The FDA has approved fenfluramine oral solution (Fintepla – Zogenix) for treatment of seizures in patients ≥2 years old with Dravet syndrome. It is the third drug to be approved for this indication. Stiripentol (Diacomit) and cannabidiol (Epidiolex), a purified product derived from marijuana, were approved earlier.

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common causes of peptic ulcer disease. Patients infected with Helicobacter pylori who take aspirin or another NSAID have an especially high risk. Drugs that have been tried for prevention of ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs including H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids, the prostaglandin misoprostol (Cytotec, and others), and antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori.Click here to view the free full...