The FDA has approved betrixaban (Bevyxxa – Portola), a once-daily, oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor, for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adults hospitalized for an acute medical illness who have moderately or severely restricted mobility and other risk factors for VTE. Betrixaban is the first oral anticoagulant to be approved in the US for this indication.

A recent supplement to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, titled "The Expert Consensus Guideline Series: Optimizing Pharmacologic Treatment of Psychotic Disorders," concluded that most experts endorsed use of second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics rather than first-generation drugs, with risperidone (Risperdal - Janssen) the top choice for first episodes, multiple episodes or switches from another drug (JM Kane et al, J Clin Psychiatry 2003; 64 suppl 12:5). The supplement was sponsored by Janssen.

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is generally used for initial treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). A serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, and others), and mirtazapine (Remeron, and others) are reasonable alternatives. Improvement in symptoms can occur within the first two weeks of treatment with these drugs, but a substantial benefit may not be achieved for 4-8 weeks.

The FDA has approved a 2% cream formulation of delgocitinib (Anzupgo – Leo), a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, for treatment of moderate to severe chronic hand eczema (dermatitis) in adults who had an inadequate response to or are unable to use topical corticosteroids. Delgocitinib is the first drug to be approved in the US for this indication. Ruxolitinib, another JAK inhibitor, is available in a 1.5% cream formulation (Opzelura) for treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients ≥2 years old.

The FDA has approved pivmecillinam (Pivya – Utility Therapeutics), an oral penicillin-class antibacterial drug, for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, or Staphylococcus saprophyticus in adult females. Pivmecillinam was approved by the FDA in 2024 but only recently became available in the US. It has been used in Europe for over 40 years.

The injectable interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist mirikizumab-mrkz (Omvoh – Lilly) is now FDA-approved for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) in adults. Mirikizumab was approved in 2023 for treatment of ulcerative colitis. Two other IL-23 antagonists, risankizumab (Skyrizi) and guselkumab (Tremfya), are also approved for treatment of CD.

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 depemokimab (Exdensur – GSK), a long-acting interleukin-5 (IL-5) antagonist, for add-on maintenance treatment of severe asthma characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype in patients ≥12 years old. Depemokimab is the fourth IL-5-directed treatment to be approved in the US for this indication; the IL-5 antagonists mepolizumab (Nucala) and reslizumab (Cinqair) and the IL-5 receptor alpha antagonist benralizumab (Fasenra) were approved earlier.

The FDA has approved oritavancin (Orbactiv – The Medicines Company), a long-acting lipoglycopeptide antibiotic given as a single intravenous (IV) dose, for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible gram-positive bacteria in adults. It is the third lipoglycopeptide antibiotic to be marketed in the US; telavancin (Vibativ) and dalbavancin (Dalvance) were approved earlier.

Tenecteplase, a recombinant variant of human tissue plasminogen activator, is now available for thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction.