The FDA has approved Anjeso (Baudax Bio), an IV formulation of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meloxicam, for once-daily treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults. Oral meloxicam (Mobic, and others), which is only indicated for treatment of chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, has been available for 20 years. IV formulations of ketorolac, ibuprofen (Caldolor), and acetaminophen (Ofirmev) are also available for treatment of pain.

View Expanded Table: Some Biologic Drugs and JAK Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The FDA has approved tirzepatide (Mounjaro – Lilly), a peptide hormone with activity at both glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide, which is injected subcutaneously once weekly, is the first dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist to become available in the US. Selective GIP receptor agonists are not available in the US; GLP-1 receptor agonists have been available for years.

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.

The FDA has approved Xifyrm (Azurity) and Qamzova (Nanjing Delova), two new intravenous (IV) formulations of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meloxicam, for use alone or in combination with non-NSAID analgesics for treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults. Anjeso, the first IV formulation of meloxicam, was discontinued in 2022 for commercial reasons.

Coenzyme Q10, a fat-soluble antioxidant also known as ubidecarenone, ubiquinone and CoQ10, is marketed as a dietary supplement in the US, both as a single ingredient and in various combination products.

Now that glucosamine and chondroitin, 2 favorite over-the-counter remedies for painful osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, have been at least somewhat discredited, some patients will be asking about alternatives. One of these is periodic intra-articular injection of a corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid preparation.

Sudden cardiac arrest has a survival rate of about 6% without immediate defibrillation. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public locations such as shopping malls, office buildings and schools. Some patients may ask their physicians whether they should purchase an AED for personal use. One device has been FDA-approved for sale over the counter (HeartStart Home Defibrillator - Philips). Purchase of all other AEDs for public places or home use requires authorization from a physician.

Posaconazole (Noxafil - Schering-Plough), an oral azole antifungal with a chemical structure similar to that of itraconazole (Sporanox), has been approved by the FDA to prevent Candida and Aspergillus infections in severely immunocompromised patients and for treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis. It is likely also to be used off-label for treatment of other fungal infections, including those caused by Mucor and other Zygomycetes.

Fibrates, niacin and fish oil are promoted for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) can lower elevated serum concentrations of triglycerides, but less so than fibrates, niacins or fish oil. Lifestyle changes such as weight reduction, exercise and decreasing alcohol intake can also lower serum triglyceride levels and should be tried first.