View the Comparison Table: Some Drugs for Gout

This article includes recommendations for management of most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV and viral hepatitis. Some of the indications and dosages recommended here have not been approved by the FDA (see Table 1).

The text that follows reviews some common bacterial infections and their empiric treatment pending the results of culture and susceptibility testing. The recommendations made here are based on the results of susceptibility studies, clinical trials, and the opinions of Medical Letter reviewers. Tables 1 and 2 list the usual dosages of antibacterial drugs.

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.

Most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) present with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease. Pharmacologic treatment usually includes a disease-modifying drug, corticosteroids for acute exacerbations, and other drugs for managing symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and pain. Early use of disease-modifying therapy has improved clinical outcomes.

Bacterial infections in adults are generally treated empirically, with the antibiotic covering most, but not all, of the potential causative pathogens. For some infections, culture and sensitivity testing can guide treatment, allowing for use of narrower-spectrum antibiotics. The recommended dosages and durations of antibiotic treatment for common respiratory, skin, and urinary tract infections are listed in Tables 1-3. Infectious disease experts now recommend shorter treatment durations for many infections to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance and minimize adverse...

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.

Mild to moderate plaque psoriasis can be treated with topical drugs and phototherapy. Patients with moderate to severe disease generally require systemic therapy. Guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy, phototherapy, and systemic drugs have recently been published.

The drugs of choice for treatment of common cardiac arrhythmias are listed in Tables 1 and 2. Some drugs are recommended for indications that have not been approved by the FDA.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a common cause of death worldwide, and the prevalence of drug-resistant TB poses challenges to its treatment and control. Guidelines with detailed management recommendations are available from the American Thoracic Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).