The FDA has approved the subcutaneously injected interleukin (IL)-4 receptor alpha antagonist dupilumab (Dupixent – Sanofi/Regeneron) for treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in patients ≥12 years old who weigh ≥40 kg and treatment of prurigo nodularis in adults. Dupilumab is the first drug to be approved in the US for each of these indications. It is also FDA-approved for treatment of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

An FDA panel has recommended that stronger warnings about hepatotoxicity be added to the labeling for acetaminophen (www.fda.gov, search "acetaminophen hepatotoxicity").

First approved in 2000 for termination of pregnancies of ≤49 days' gestation, the indication for the oral antiprogestin mifepristone (Mifeprex, and generics) was expanded in 2016 to include pregnancies of up to 10 weeks' gestation. A single 200-mg oral dose of mifepristone followed 24-48 hours later by a single 800-mcg buccal dose of the prostaglandin analog misoprostol terminates early intrauterine pregnancies in about 95% of women.

The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved the marketing of goserelin acetate (Zoladex - ICI Pharma), an implant for palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Goserelin acetate is a synthetic decapeptide luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) analog similar to leuprolide (Lupron; Lupron Depot) (Medical Letter, 27:71, 1985).

Doxacurium (Nuromax - Burroughs Wellcome), a new, long-acting, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, is now available in the USA for use as a skeletal muscle relaxant during general anesthesia and for endotracheal intubation. Although small decreases in heart rate and mean arterial pressure occur in some patients who receive doxacurium, clinical studies have found no adverse cardiovascular effects in patients with heart disease receiving up to three times the usual effective dose (CM Stoops et al, Anesthesiology, 69:365, 1988; DJ Murray et al, Anesthesiology, 69:472, 1988; RS...

Long-term use of bisphosphonates for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis has been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw, atypical fractures of the femur, and possibly esophageal cancer. So for how long should patients take them?

The FDA has approved a delayed-release oral formulation of prednisone (Rayos – Horizon Pharma). Rayos is not labeled for any specific indication, but the only published studies of the new product have been in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Only a small minority of patients who say they are allergic to penicillin will have a reaction if they take a penicillin.

Bellafill (Suneva), a dermal filler approved earlier for correction of nasolabial folds, has now also been approved by the FDA for correction of moderate to severe, atrophic, distensible facial acne scars on the cheek in adults ≥21 years old. It is the only dermal filler approved in the US for correction of facial acne scars.

The FDA has approved an over-the-counter (OTC) 0.025% ophthalmic formulation of the selective alpha₂-adrenergic agonist brimonidine tartrate (Lumify – Bausch & Lomb) for treatment of ocular redness in adults and children ≥5 years old. Lumify is the first brimonidine product to be approved for OTC use.