The FDA has approved ponesimod (Ponvory – Janssen), a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, for treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome (initial neurological episode), relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Ponesimod is the fourth oral S1P receptor modulator to be approved in the US for once-daily treatment of relapsing forms of MS; ozanimod (Zeposia) and siponimod (Mayzent) are also approved for use in adults, and fingolimod (Gilenya) is indicated for use in patients...

The FDA recently approved three new drugs for treatment of hyperlipidemia. Ezetimibe (ez et' i mibe; Zetia) is the first in a new class of drugs that inhibit intestinal absorption of cholesterol. Extended-release lovastatin (Altocor) is a new formulation of lovastatin (Mevacor, and others). Extended-release niacin plus (immediate-release) lovastatin (Advicor) is the first fixed-dose combination of lipid-lowering drugs.

Tigecycline (Tygacil - Wyeth), a derivative of minocycline, is a new intravenous (IV) antibiotic approved for treatment of complicated intra-abdominal and skin and skin-structure infections.

Until the recent introduction of febuxostat (Uloric), no new drugs had been marketed for treatment of gout in the past 40 years. Colchicine, which has been available for decades as an unapproved drug, has now been approved by the FDA (Colcrys) for treatment and prophylaxis of gout flares. It was approved earlier only in combination with probenecid (Colbenemid, and others). The goals of gout treatment are three-fold: treating acute disease, preventing flares and reducing uric acid stores.

The FDA has approved daclizumab (Zinbryta – Biogen/Abbvie), an interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor blocking monoclonal antibody, for treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is the first subcutaneously injected monoclonal antibody to be approved for treatment of MS.

Coenzyme Q10, a fat-soluble antioxidant also known as ubidecarenone, ubiquinone and CoQ10, is marketed as a dietary supplement in the US, both as a single ingredient and in various combination products.

Lapatinib (Tykerb - GlaxoSmithKline), an oral inhibitor of both HER-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor type 1 (EGFR-1 or ErbB-1), has been approved by the FDA for use in combination with capecitabine (Xeloda) to treat advanced or metastatic breast cancer that overexpresses HER-2 in patients who have received prior therapy that included an anthracycline, a taxane and trastuzumab (Herceptin), an intravenous monoclonal antibody that also inhibits HER-2.

Fibrates, niacin and fish oil are promoted for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) can lower elevated serum concentrations of triglycerides, but less so than fibrates, niacins or fish oil. Lifestyle changes such as weight reduction, exercise and decreasing alcohol intake can also lower serum triglyceride levels and should be tried first.

The FDA has approved omadacycline (Nuzyra – Paratek), a semisynthetic tetracycline derivative, for once-daily IV and oral treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CAP) and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) in adults.

Lyme disease in the US is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans by Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged [deer] tick) and I. pacificus (western blacklegged tick). Most cases of Lyme disease occur in late spring and early summer in northeastern and mid-Atlantic states, the upper Midwest, and in northern California. B. mayonii, which is also transmitted by I. scapularis, has been shown to cause a similar illness in the upper Midwest.