The FDA has approved acoltremon 0.003% ophthalmic solution (Tryptyr – Alcon) for treatment of dry eye disease. Acoltremon is the first transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) thermoreceptor agonist to be approved in the US for this indication.

Zongertinib (Hernexeos – Boehringer Ingelheim), an oral kinase inhibitor, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) tyrosine kinase domain activating mutations who had received prior systemic therapy. It is the first oral targeted therapy to be approved in the US for this indication. The intravenous HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate famtrastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) was approved for the same indication...

The FDA has approved Akynzeo (Helsinn/Eisai), an oral fixed-dose combination of the substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist netupitant and the serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist palonosetron, for prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in adults. Akynzeo is the first product to combine drugs from these two classes. Palonosetron (Aloxi) is also available as a single agent for prevention of chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Netupitant is the second substance P/NK1 receptor antagonist to be...

The FDA has approved a single-injection hyaluronic acid gel (Durolane – Bioventus) and an extended-release (ER) formulation of the synthetic corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide (Zilretta – Flexion) for intra-articular (IA) treatment of osteoarthritic knee pain.

Lefamulin (Xenleta – Nabriva), a semisynthetic pleuromutilin antibiotic, has been approved by the FDA for IV and oral treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) in adults. It is the first systemic pleuromutilin antibiotic to be approved in the US; retapamulin (Altabax), a 1% topical ointment for treatment of impetigo, was approved in 2007.

The FDA has approved cefiderocol (Fetroja – Shionogi), a new IV cephalosporin antibiotic, for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria in adults who have limited or no alternative treatment options.

The FDA has approved nirsevimab-alip (Beyfortus – AstraZeneca/Sanofi), a long-acting monoclonal antibody, for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in neonates and infants born during or entering their first RSV season, and in children ≤24 months old who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. Nirsevimab is the first drug to be approved for protection of all infants during their first RSV season.

Pediculosis capitis (head lice infestations) occur in all age groups, but especially in elementary school children. In most cases, transmission occurs by head-to-head contact. Pharmacologic treatment is recommended for persons with live lice or eggs (nits) within 1 cm of the scalp. Topical pediculicides should be tried first. Oral therapy is occasionally required for refractory infestations.

Terconazole (Terazol - Ortho), an imidazole derivative, was recently marketed in the USA for treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. It is available both as a 0.4% vaginal cream (Terazol 7) and in 80-mg vaginal suppositories (Terazol 3).

Astemizole (Hismanal - Janssen), a new antihistamine, was recently marketed in the USA for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. Like terfenadine (Seldane - Medical Letter, 27:65, 1985), astemizole is claimed to be no more sedating than placebo, but the new drug offers the advantage of a once-daily dosage schedule.