The oral polymerase acidic endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza — Genentech) is now FDAapproved for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza in patients ≥12 years old. Baloxavir was approved for treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients ≥12 years old in 2018.1 Two neuraminidase inhibitors are FDA-approved for prophylaxis of influenza: oseltamivir (Tamiflu, and generics) in patients ≥1 year old, and zanamivir (Relenza) in patients ≥5 years old.2 Unlike oseltamivir and zanamivir, baloxavir is not FDA-approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis of...

Zoledronic acid (Reclast - Novartis) is the first bisphosphonate approved by the FDA for once-yearly intravenous (IV) treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Reclast is also approved for treatment of Paget's disease. Another IV formulation of zoledronic acid (Zometa) is approved for treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy, multiple myeloma and bone metastases from solid tumors.

The FDA has approved baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza – Shionogi/Genentech), the first polymerase acidic (PA) endonuclease inhibitor, for single-dose, oral treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients ≥12 years old. Baloxavir is the first drug with a new mechanism of action to be approved for treatment of influenza in almost 20 years.

Ibandronate (Boniva - Roche) is the first bisphosphonate approved by the FDA for intravenous (IV) treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is given as a bolus injection once every 3 months. Ibandronate is also available as an oral once-a-month 150-mg tablet and as a daily 2.5-mg tablet.

Primary hypothyroidism is usually the result of Hashimoto's (autoimmune) thyroiditis, thyroidectomy, or radioactive iodine therapy. Treatment of hypothyroidism with replacement doses of thyroid hormone is usually lifelong. Levothyroxine (LT4; synthetic thyroxine; Synthroid, and others) is the drug of choice.1

Enoxacin (en ox' a sin; Penetrex - Rh ne-Poulenc Rorer), a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial for oral use, has now been marketed in the USA for treatment of urinary tract infections and uncomplicated urethral or cervical gonorrhea.

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 patiromer (Veltassa – Relypsa), an oral potassium binder, for treatment of hyperkalemia. It is the first drug to be approved for this indication since the cation-exchange resin sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate, and others) in 1958. Patiromer is not indicated for emergency correction of life-threatening hyperkalemia. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, another oral potassium binder, is currently being reviewed by the FDA; a decision on its approval is expected in May 2016.

View the Comparison Table: Some FDA-Approved Drugs for Weight Management

Antiretroviral therapy is recommended for all HIV-infected patients, both to reduce the risk of disease progression and to prevent transmission of the virus to others. Various guidelines for treatment of HIV infection are available.