Teclistamab-cqyv (Tecvayli – Janssen), a bispecific B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CD3 T-cell engager, has been granted accelerated approval by the FDA for treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in adults who received ≥4 prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Accelerated approval was based on response rate. Teclistamab is the first bispecific BCMA-directed CD3 T-cell engager to be approved in the US.

Methamphetamine, a highly addictive synthetic sympathomimetic, has again become important as a drug of abuse in the US. Its resurgence has been associated with unsafe sexual practices that have resulted in an increase in HIV transmission, particularly among men who have sex with men (SJ Semple et al, J Subst Abuse Treat 2002; 22:149; A Urbina and K Jones, Clin Infect Dis 2004; 38:890).

The Medical Letter article (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2007; 49:71) on Low-Dose Transdermal Estrogens said that Elestrin has been marketed in Europe since 1976. Actually it is EstroGel (Ascend Therapeutics), a similar product, that has been available in Europe since 1976.

The FDA has approved an extended-release tablet formulation of amantadine (Osmolex ER – Vertical/Osmotica) for once-daily treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) in adults. An extended-release capsule formulation of amantadine (Gocovri) was approved in 2017 for treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patients with PD.

The choice of drugs for treatment of pneumonia depends on the most likely pathogens causing the infection and local antimicrobial resistance patterns. Factors such as severity of illness, presence of co-morbid conditions and whether the infection is community or hospital-acquired also need to be considered.

Echinacea, a plant also called purple coneflower, is widely used as a dietary supplement for prevention and treatment of colds.

In February 2021, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the investigational monoclonal antibodies bamlanivimab and etesevimab (Lilly) for use together to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in persons ≥12 years old who weigh ≥40 kg and are at high risk of progression to severe disease or hospitalization. The FDA has now expanded this EUA to allow use of the antibodies together for post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in such persons if they are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or are unlikely to have an adequate immune response to full vaccination and have...

Several injectable products are available for soft tissue augmentation of wrinkles and folds. These fillers are often used in conjunction with botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections.

The recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist anakinra (Kineret – Sobi) has been granted an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for treatment of hospitalized adults with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia who require low- or high-flow supplemental oxygen, are at risk of progressing to severe respiratory failure, and are likely to have elevated plasma levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). Anakinra has been available in the US for years; it is FDA-approved for multiple indications, including rheumatoid arthritis. Assays for suPAR are...

View the Table: Treatments Considered for COVID-19