Colonoscopy remains the preferred method of colorectal cancer screening. Many patients consider cleansing the bowel in preparation for colonoscopy the most unpleasant part of the procedure, but inadequate bowel preparation significantly lowers the diagnostic yield.

The FDA has approved mavacamten (Camzyos – MyoKardia/BMS), a modulator of cardiac myosin, to improve functional capacity and symptoms in adults with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who have a baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥55%. Mavacamten is the first drug in its class to become available in the US.

Rozanolixizumab-noli (Rystiggo – UCB), a neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis in adults with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies. It is the first drug to be approved for treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis in patients with anti-MuSK antibodies. Four other biologic drugs – the FcRn blocker efgartigimod alfa (Vyvgart; Vyvgart Hytrulo) and the complement inhibitors eculizumab (Soliris), ravulizumab (Ultomiris), and zilucoplan (Zilbrysq) – are...

The FDA has approved rezafungin (Rezzayo – Cidara/Melinta), an intravenous echinocandin antifungal, for once-weekly treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis (IC) in adults with limited or no alternative options. It is the first new drug to become available in the US in more than 15 years for treatment of systemic Candida infections.

In addition to surgery and radiation therapy, a variety of drugs are used both singly and in combination to treat breast cancer. This article summarizes the principles of adjuvant therapy and treatment for metastatic disease. A summary of individual drugs and their adverse effects begins on page 3.

Every pharmaceutical drug is a dose-dependent poison. This article describes the clinical presentation and treatment of some dangerous overdoses commonly reported in adults.

Two types of oral contraceptives are available in the USA: combination oral contraceptives that contain both an estrogen and a progestin, and progestin-only contraceptives, or "mini-pills."Used as directed, all oral contraceptives marketed in the USA are similarly effective in preventing pregnancy.

The recent "PROVE IT" trial in patients with coronary heart disease showed clinical benefits associated with reducing LDL cholesterol concentrations lower than the 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) or less that had been considered optimal.

Natalizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for intravenous treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The beta interferons and glatiramer acetate are widely used for treatment of MS; they generally reduce the number of relapses by about 30% compared to placebo, and have been shown to be safe and effective for periods ranging from 4 to 10 years.

Ropinirole (Requip - GlaxoSmithKline), a dopamine agonist already available for treatment of Parkinson's disease, is now the first drug approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS).