Azelaic acid, a naturally occurring heptanedicarboxylic acid, has been marketed in the USA as a 20% cream (Azelex - Allergan) for treatment of acne. The drug has been available in Europe for several years.

The FDA has approved osimertinib (Tagrisso – AstraZeneca), an oral kinase inhibitor, for adjuvant treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after tumor resection in adults who have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations. Osimertinib is the first targeted therapy to be approved in the US for this indication. The drug was previously approved for first-line treatment of adults with NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations and for treatment of EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC in adults whose disease progressed...

Pressure is the most critical factor in the development of pressure ulcers; high pressure applied constantly for two hours produces irreversible tissue ischemia and necrosis. Malnutrition, fecal and urinary incontinence, fractures, and a low serum albumin may be additional risk factors. Frequent turning and mobilization of patients, relieving pressure and allowing tissue reoxygenation, are the most effective means of prevention and treatment (PS Goode and RM Allman, Med Clin North Am, 73:1511, Nov 1989).

Resveratrol is a phytochemical found in the skin of red grapes and in many other plants, including berries, plums and peanuts. As a constituent of red wine, it has been associated with cardioprotective effects. Dietary supplements containing resveratrol are now being widely promoted as antioxidants that can prevent agerelated diseases.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, which have been a concern for many years, previously occurred primarily in hospitalized patients and those recently treated with antibiotics. In the past few years, there has been an increasing incidence worldwide of community-associated (CA) MRSA infections in patients without recent antibiotic exposure or contact with the healthcare system.

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...

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.

Ofloxacin (Floxin - McNeil, Ortho), a new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, was recently marketed in the USA for oral treatment of various infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. Ofloxacin is the third fluoroquinolone to become available in this country. Norfloxacin (Noroxin - Medical Letter, 29:25, 1987) is marketed only for treatment of urinary tract infections. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro - Medical Letter, 30:11, 1988), like ofloxacin, is approved for use in a variety of infections.

The FDA has approved romidepsin (Istodax – Celgene), an IV histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in patients who have received at least one prior systemic therapy. The most common types of CTCL are mycosis fungoides, a low-grade lymphoma usually confined to the skin, and Sézary syndrome, a more aggressive disease with malignant lymphocytes in the blood. Both can progress to fatal systemic involvement. Romidepsin is the second HDAC inhibitor approved for this indication; vorinostat (Zolinza), an oral HDAC inhibitor, was approved...

The FDA has approved Cabtreo (Bausch Health), a gel containing the retinoid adapalene, the oxidizing agent benzoyl peroxide, and the antibiotic clindamycin, for treatment of acne vulgaris in patients ≥12 years old. Cabtreo is the first three-drug topical formulation to become available in the US for treatment of acne.