Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP; normal range 8-22 mm Hg), which is the only disease-related factor that can be modified. Topical drugs that lower IOP are the first line of treatment for open-angle glaucoma.

The FDA has licensed the adjuvanted, recombinant varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccine Shingrix (GSK) for prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults of any age who are or will be at elevated risk because of disease- or therapy-induced immunodeficiency or immunosuppression. Shingrix has been licensed for herpes zoster prevention in adults ≥50 years old since 2017.1 It is the only VZV vaccine currently available in the US; Zostavax, a live-attenuated VZV vaccine, was withdrawn from the market in 2020.

Many drugs, mostly imidazole derivatives, are marketed in the USA for topical treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, and a few are now available without a prescription.

Rocuronium bromide (Zemuron - Organon), a new short-onset, intermediate-acting, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug, is now available in the USA for intravenous use. It is being promoted particularly for use in rapid endotracheal intubation.

The FDA has approved another fixed combination of the antibiotic clindamycin phosphate and the oxidizing agent benzoyl peroxide (Onexton Gel 1.2%/3.75% – Valeant) for topical treatment of acne in patients ≥12 years old. Topical products containing the same drugs have been available for many years. Onexton Gel contains a new strength of benzoyl peroxide.

Rilonacept (Arcalyst – Kiniksa), an interleukin-1 (IL-1) antagonist that has been available for years for treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, has now been approved by the FDA for treatment of recurrent pericarditis and prevention of further recurrences in patients ≥12 years old. It is the first drug to be approved in the US for this indication. Anakinra (Kineret), an IL-1 receptor antagonist FDA-approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been used off-label for years for treatment of recurrent pericarditis.

The FDA has approved Onyda XR (Tris), an extended-release (ER) oral suspension formulation of the alpha_2-adrenergic agonist clonidine, for use as monotherapy or as an adjunct to stimulant therapy for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ≥6 years old. Clonidine ER tablets have been available for years for treatment of ADHD in children 6-17 years old.

The FDA has approved a generic injectable formulation of the opioid antagonist nalmefene (Purdue) for the management of known or suspected opioid overdose. Revex, the reference product, was withdrawn from the market in 2008 for commercial reasons.

Advertisements for clemastine (Tavist-1 - Sandoz), an ethanolamine oral antihistamine, have recently appeared on television and in major newspapers in the USA. Clemastine is an old drug (Medical Letter, 21:24, 1979) that has now become available without a prescription.

Many drugs, mostly azole derivatives, are marketed in the USA for topical treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. A single-dose, sustained-release formulation of butoconazole nitrate 2% cream (Gynazole 1) is the newest addition. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is approved for single-dose oral treatment.