The FDA has approved Triumeq (Viiv Healthcare), a fixed-dose combination of the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) dolutegravir and the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) abacavir and lamivudine, for once-daily treatment of HIV-1 infection. Dolutegravir (Tivicay) was approved as a single agent in 2013.

Darunavir (Prezista - Tibotec), a new protease inhibitor, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for use in combination therapy of human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in previously treated adults. It is coadministered with low-dose ritonavir (Norvir), which increases its bioavailability.

View Table 3: Some Drug Interactions with DAAs for HCV Infection

The FDA has approved Viekira Pak (Abbvie), a fixed-dose combination of two new direct-acting antiviral agents (ombitasvir, paritaprevir) with the pharmacologic enhancer ritonavir in one tablet, co-packaged with a third new direct-acting antiviral agent (dasabuvir) in a second tablet, for oral treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection. Genotype 1 is responsible for 70-80% of HCV infections in the US.

View the Expanded Table: Statins

View the Table: Treatments Considered for COVID-19

The lipid-lowering drug rosuvastatin is now available in a sprinkle capsule formulation (Ezallor Sprinkle – Sun Pharma). Rosuvastatin tablets (Crestor, and generics) have been available since 2003.1,2The new formulation is being marketed specifically for residents of long-term care facilities who have difficulty swallowing. Ezallor Sprinkle capsules can be swallowed whole or opened and their contents sprinkled over applesauce or mixed with water for administration via nasogastric tube.For those long-term care residents who still have a reasonable indication for a statin but have difficulty...

The FDA has approved Mavyret (Abbvie) and Vosevi (Gilead), two new fixed-dose combinations of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection caused by any of the six major HCV genotypes in patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. Both are approved for use in treatment-experienced patients. Mavyret is also approved for treatment-naive patients.

The FDA has approved a fixed-dose combination of the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (ReVia, and others) and the antidepressant and smoking cessation agent bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Zyban, and others), as Contrave (Orexigen/Takeda) for weight loss. The combination was approved for use as an adjunct to diet and increased physical activity in patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 or a BMI ≥27 kg/m2 and one or more weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Naltrexone/bupropion is not a controlled...

The FDA has approved Genvoya (Gilead), a fixed-dose combination of the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) elvitegravir, the pharmacokinetic enhancer cobicistat, and the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, for treatment of HIV-1 infection in patients ≥12 years old. This is the first approval for tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), a tenofovir prodrug. Stribild, a fixed-dose combination of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), was approved in 2012.