The injectable interleukin (IL)-23 antagonist risankizumab-rzza (Skyrizi – Abbvie), previously approved by the FDA for treatment of Crohn's disease (CD), has now been approved for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. Risankizumab is the first IL-23 antagonist to be approved for treatment of both CD and UC. It is also approved for treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

The FDA has approved a 0.3% foam formulation of the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor roflumilast (Zoryve – Arcutis) for topical treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in patients ≥9 years old. Roflumilast is the first PDE4 inhibitor to be approved in the US for this indication. It is also available in a 0.3% cream formulation (Zoryve) for treatment of plaque psoriasis and in an oral formulation (Daliresp, and generics) for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A 0.15% cream formulation for treatment of atopic dermatitis in patients ≥6 years old will be reviewed...

The FDA has approved depemokimab (Exdensur – GSK), a long-acting interleukin-5 (IL-5) antagonist, for add-on maintenance treatment of severe asthma characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype in patients ≥12 years old. Depemokimab is the fourth IL-5-directed treatment to be approved in the US for this indication; the IL-5 antagonists mepolizumab (Nucala) and reslizumab (Cinqair) and the IL-5 receptor alpha antagonist benralizumab (Fasenra) were approved earlier.

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 the injectable interleukin (IL)-17A/17F antagonist bimekizumab-bkzx (Bimzelx – UCB) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic treatment or phototherapy. Bimekizumab is the first IL-17A/17F antagonist to be approved in the US. It was approved in the European Union for the same indication in 2021.

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.

About 2.5 million persons in the US had hepatitis C between 2017 and 2020. Guidelines from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) on management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were updated in 2023.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression. Recurrences of manic or (more frequently) depressive symptoms are common. About 15-20% of patients with bipolar disorder die by suicide.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), referred to collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are chronic immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. Guidelines for treatment of UC and CD have been updated in recent years

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, is frequently associated with other atopic disorders such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergy. It commonly presents in infancy and early childhood and has a relapsing course, often improving by adolescence, but sometimes persisting into or first appearing in adulthood or even old age. Guidelines for the treatment of AD have recently been updated.