The FDA has approved Aptensio XR (Rhodes), an extended-release formulation of methylphenidate hydrochloride, for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The Aptensio XR capsules contain multilayer beads designed to provide both a rapid onset and a long duration of action. This formulation of methylphenidate has been available in Canada as Biphentin since 2006.

The FDA has approved Apadaz (KemPharm), a short-acting, fixed-dose combination of benzhydrocodone and acetaminophen, for short-term management (≤14 days) of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Benzhydrocodone is a prodrug of hydrocodone. Fixed-dose combinations of short-acting hydrocodone and acetaminophen or ibuprofen have been available for years and are the most abused opioid products in the US. Apadaz was developed under the presumption that inclusion of the inactive prodrug would reduce the potential for...

The FDA has approved a 4% aerosol foam formulation of minocycline (Amzeeq – Foamix) for topical treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne in patients ≥9 years old. It is the first topical tetracycline formulation to be approved for use in patients with acne. Oral minocycline (Minocin, Solodyn, and generics) is

The FDA has approved viloxazine extended-release capsules (Qelbree – Supernus) for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 6-17 years old. Viloxazine is the second selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor to be approved in the US for treatment of ADHD; atomoxetine (Strattera, and generics) was approved in 2002.

The FDA has approved Ryaltris (Hikma), a fixed-dose combination nasal spray containing the H1-antihistamine olopatadine hydrochloride (Patanase, and generics) and the corticosteroid mometasone furoate (Nasonex 24 HR Allergy, and generics), for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms in persons ≥12 years old. Ryaltris is the second intranasal antihistamine/corticosteroid combination to be approved for this indication; azelastine 0.1%/fluticasone propionate (Dymista, and generics), which is approved for use in persons ≥6 years old, was the first. Both products are available...

View the Comparison Table: Some Drugs for Migraine Prevention in Adults

The injectable glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist tirzepatide, which was approved by the FDA as Mounjaro for treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2022, has now been approved as Zepbound (Lilly) for chronic weight management in adults who have a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 or a BMI ≥27 kg/m2 and at least one weight-related comorbidity. The injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Saxenda) and semaglutide (Wegovy) are approved for chronic weight management in patients ≥12 years...

Seladelpar (Livdelzi – Gilead), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-delta agonist, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for use in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol, UDCA; Urso Forte, and generics) for treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults who had an inadequate response to UDCA and as monotherapy in those unable to tolerate UDCA. Accelerated approval was based on a reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Seladelpar is the second PPAR agonist to be approved in the US for this indication; elafibranor (Iqirvo)...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that has been diagnosed in up to 10% of school-age children in the US and frequently persists into adulthood. A study in a large Danish cohort found that ADHD was associated with higher mortality rates in children, adolescents, and adults, mainly due to accidents. Pharmacologic treatment of ADHD in children has been reported to decrease the risk of substance abuse in adolescents, and use of ADHD medications in adults has been associated with a reduced risk of serious traffic accidents and...

Retapamulin (re-tap'-a-mue'-lin; Altabax - Glaxo SmithKline) is a topical antibiotic recently approved by the FDA for treatment of bullous and non-bullous impetigo due to Streptococcus pyogenes and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. It is available as a 1% ointment by prescription only.