The subcutaneously injected interleukin-13 (IL-13) antagonist tralokinumab-ldrm (Adbry – Leo) and the oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors abrocitinib (Cibinqo – Pfizer) and upadacitinib (Rinvoq – Abbvie) have been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

The FDA has approved ixekizumab (Taltz – Lilly), an injectable humanized interleukin (IL)-17A antagonist, for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Ixekizumab is the second IL-17A antagonist to be approved for this indication in the US; secukinumab (Cosentyx – Novartis) was the first.

The FDA has approved Odefsey (Gilead), a once-daily, fixed-dose combination of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) rilpivirine and the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, for initial treatment of HIV-1 infection in patients with HIV-1 RNA (viral load) ≤100,000 copies/mL or to replace a stable antiretroviral regimen in patients who have been virologically suppressed (viral load <50 copies/mL) for at least six months with no history of treatment failure.

The FDA has approved cladribine (Mavenclad – EMD Serono), a purine antimetabolite, for oral treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive MS (SPMS), who cannot tolerate or have had an inadequate response to other drugs indicated for treatment of MS. It is not recommended for use in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). IV cladribine, which is FDA-approved for treatment of hairy cell leukemia, has been used off-label for treatment of MS.

The FDA recently approved the use of atorvastatin (Lipitor) to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients without heart disease who have type 2 diabetes plus other risk factors, with or without hypercholesterolemia. The agency also approved the drug's use to reduce the risk of stroke in high-risk nondiabetic patients without heart disease, whether or not they have hypercholesterolemia. Similar indications were previously approved for simvastatin (Zocor).

Fibrates, niacin and fish oil are promoted for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) can lower elevated serum concentrations of triglycerides, but less so than fibrates, niacins or fish oil. Lifestyle changes such as weight reduction, exercise and decreasing alcohol intake can also lower serum triglyceride levels and should be tried first.

Drugs for gout are used to reduce the pain and inflammation of acute flares, decrease the frequency of exacerbations, and lower serum urate levels to prevent recurrent flares, development of tophi, and joint damage.

Ambrisentan (Letairis - Gilead), a selective endothelin type A (ET_A) receptor antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of symptomatic patients (WHO class II or III) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

The FDA has approved the marketing of pitavastatin (Livalo – Kowa), an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (“statin”), for treatment of primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia. It has been available in Japan since 2003. All of the statins now available in the US are listed in the table on page 58.

View the Comparison Table: Some Drugs for Gout