Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used as an alternative to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for treatment of hypertension because they lower blood pressure without inducing a cough. It has not been established that they provide the same cardiac benefits as ACE inhibitors. Recently, an editorial in the British Medical Journal suggested that ARBs may increase the risk of myocardial infarction.

The FDA has approved a new plasma-derived von Willebrand factor/Factor VIII concentrate (Wilate – Octapharma) for treatment of spontaneous and trauma-induced bleeding episodes in patients with von Willebrand disease.

The FDA has approved dolutegravir (doll-you-TEG-rah-veer; Tivicay – Viiv Healthcare), an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), for treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and in children ≥12 years old who weigh at least 40 kg. It is the third INSTI to be approved by the FDA; raltegravir and elvitegravir were approved earlier.

The FDA has approved an inhaled, rapid-acting, dry-powder formulation of recombinant human insulin (Afrezza – Mannkind/Sanofi) for treatment of adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In patients with type 1 diabetes, the drug must be used in combination with long-acting insulin. Another inhaled, rapid-acting insulin (Exubera) was approved in 2006 for the same indication, but was withdrawn from the market the following year.

The FDA has approved the immune checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab (Tecentriq – Genentech) for treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that have progressed during or following platinum-based chemotherapy. Atezolizumab is the first programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody to become available in the US. Two other immune checkpoint inhibitors, the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda), are also approved for treatment of metastatic NSCLC, and...

The FDA has approved a fixed-dose combination of meropenem, a carbapenem antibiotic, and vaborbactam, a new beta-lactamase inhibitor (Vabomere – Melinta), for IV treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Enterobacter cloacae spp. complex. Meropenem (Merrem, and generics) has been approved for years for treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections, intra-abdominal infections, and bacterial meningitis. Resistance to meropenem and other...

The FDA has approved Gimoti (Evoke), a nasal spray formulation of the dopamine-2 (D₂) receptor antagonist metoclopramide, for relief of symptoms in adults with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis. Metoclopramide (Reglan, and generics) has been available for years in conventional and orally-disintegrating tablets and in an injectable formulation. It is the only drug that is FDA-approved for treatment of diabetic gastroparesis.

Anidulafungin (ay nid yoo la fun jin; Eraxis - Pfizer), a third intravenous echinocandin antifungal, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of esophageal candidiasis, candidemia, and other complicated Candida infections (intra-abdominal abscess or peritonitis).

The FDA has approved a fixed-dose combination of the long-acting anticholinergic glycopyrrolate and the long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) formoterol (Bevespi Aerosphere – AstraZeneca) for long-term maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Glycopyrrolate/formoterol is the fourth long-acting anticholinergic/LABA combination to be approved in the US, but the first to become available in a metered-dose inhaler. Glycopyrrolate/indacaterol (Utibron Neohaler), umeclidinium/vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta), and tiotropium/olodaterol (Stiolto...

The FDA has approved cladribine (Mavenclad – EMD Serono), a purine antimetabolite, for oral treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive MS (SPMS), who cannot tolerate or have had an inadequate response to other drugs indicated for treatment of MS. It is not recommended for use in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). IV cladribine, which is FDA-approved for treatment of hairy cell leukemia, has been used off-label for treatment of MS.