Faricimab-svoa (Vabysmo – Genentech), an inhibitor of both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), has been approved by the FDA for intravitreal treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). It is the first drug to become available in the US that targets two pathways involved in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Several VEGF inhibitors are available for treatment of nAMD and DME (see Table 2).

The FDA has approved Ryaltris (Hikma), a fixed-dose combination nasal spray containing the H1-antihistamine olopatadine hydrochloride (Patanase, and generics) and the corticosteroid mometasone furoate (Nasonex 24 HR Allergy, and generics), for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms in persons ≥12 years old. Ryaltris is the second intranasal antihistamine/corticosteroid combination to be approved for this indication; azelastine 0.1%/fluticasone propionate (Dymista, and generics), which is approved for use in persons ≥6 years old, was the first. Both products are available...

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles for therapeutic purposes into points on the skin known as acupoints. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, these points arefound along channels that conduct "qi" (pronounced "chee"), or energy. In addition to insertion of needles, acupoints can be stimulated by heat, electrical current or just pressure.

MoviPrep (Salix) is a new polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based bowel cleansing preparation approved for use in adults prior to colonoscopy. It contains ascorbic acid, which acts as an additional cathartic and flavoring agent, and requires a lower volume of fluid (3 L compared to the traditional 4 L) than most other PEG products. HalfLytely is an FDA-approved 2-L PEG product, but it must be taken with bisacodyl.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are widely used in patients at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) because these devices have been highly successful in terminating life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and in increasing survival.

The FDA has approved the proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) dexlansoprazole (Kapidex - Takeda), a delayed release formulation of the R-enantiomer of lansoprazole (Prevacid - Takeda), for treating and maintaining healing of erosive esophagitis and for treatment of heartburn associated with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The FDA has approved the marketing of fenofibric acid (Trilipix - Abbott) to reduce triglycerides and increase HDL-C in patients with mixed dyslipidemia on optimal doses of a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) who have, or have risk factors for, coronary heart disease. It is the first fibrate approved by the FDA specifically for combined use with a statin. Trilipix is also approved as monotherapy for hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-C. The patent for Tricor, Abbott's older formulation of fenofibrate, will expire in 2011.

The FDA has approved the fluoroquinolone besifloxacin 0.6% ophthalmic suspension (Besivance - Bausch & Lomb) for treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible bacteria. According to the manufacturer, this product was developed specifically for ophthalmic use in a specialized vehicle designed to prolong contact time on the ocular surface. Besifloxacin is not available for systemic use.

Everolimus (Afinitor – Novartis) and pazopanib (Votrient – GlaxoSmithKline), two oral multikinase inhibitors, have been approved by the FDA for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. Sunitinib (Sutent) and sorafenib (Nexavar), two other oral multikinase inhibitors, and temsirolimus (Torisel), an IV multikinase inhibitor, were approved earlier for the same indication.

The FDA has approved ixekizumab (Taltz – Lilly), an injectable humanized interleukin (IL)-17A antagonist, for treatment of adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Ixekizumab is the second IL-17A antagonist to be approved for this indication in the US; secukinumab (Cosentyx – Novartis) was the first.