The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi – Abbvie) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Risankizumab is the third IL-23 antagonist to be approved for this indication; guselkumab (Tremfya) and tildrakizumab (Ilumya) were approved earlier.

The oral retinoid isotretinoin (Accutane, and others) is the most effective drug available for treatment of acne.1 The FDA has recently approved a new oral isotretinoin product (Absorica – Cipher/Ranbaxy) for treatment of severe, recalcitrant nodular acne.Isotretinoin can completely clear severe nodulocystic lesions, in some cases leading to remission that can persist for years after treatment is stopped. Mucocutaneous adverse effects include dry skin, dry eye, epistaxis, nasopharyngitis, cheilitis, alopecia, eczema, skin fragility and photosensitivity. Musculoskeletal symptoms,...

The FDA has approved an extended-release formulation of minocycline (Solodyn - Medicis) for once-daily treatment of non-nodular moderate to severe acne.

Secukinumab (Cosentyx – Novartis), an injectable human interleukin (IL)-17A antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. It is the first IL-17 inhibitor to be approved for any indication in the US.

The FDA has approved brodalumab (Siliq – Valeant), an injectable human interleukin (IL)-17A receptor antagonist, for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who have failed to respond to other systemic therapies. Brodalumab is the third IL-17A antagonist to be approved in the US for this indication; secukinumab (Cosentyx) and ixekizumab (Taltz) were approved earlier.

View the Comparison Table: Some Drugs for Plaque Psoriasis

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

Tyrvaya (Oyster Point), a nasal spray formulation of the cholinergic agonist varenicline, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of dry eye disease. It is the first nasal spray to be approved in the US for this indication. An oral formulation of varenicline (Chantix, and generics) has been available for years for smoking cessation.

The FDA has approved the selective alpha_1A-adrenergic receptor agonist oxymetazoline as a 1% cream (Rhofade – Allergan) for topical treatment of persistent facial erythema of rosacea in adults. Brimonidine, a selective alpha₂-adrenergic receptor agonist, was approved in 2013 as a 0.33% gel (Mirvaso) for the same indication. Like Mirvaso, Rhofade is not indicated for treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea. Oxymetazoline has been available over the counter for many years as a nasal decongestant spray (Afrin, and others).

The FDA has approved perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution (Miebo – Bausch+Lomb) for treatment of dry eye disease. Available only by prescription, Miebo is the first ophthalmic product to be approved in the US that specifically targets tear evaporation caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. An ophthalmic solution with a similar name, Meibo Tears (Vista), which contains 0.6% propylene glycol, is available over the counter for dry eye relief.