Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common GI condition encountered in the outpatient setting; it affects about 20% of people in the US.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the etonogestrel implant are the most effective reversible contraceptive methods available. Hormonal oral contraceptives, patches, rings, and injectables are also effective in preventing pregnancy. When used alone, barrier and behavioral methods generally have higher failure rates than other methods (see Table 1). Selection of a contraceptive method is usually based on patient-specific factors and personal preference

A new CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for pain recently became available. Nonopioid drugs for pain were reviewed in a previous issue.

The FDA has approved the oral kinase inhibitor encorafenib (Braftovi – Pfizer), in combination with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor cetuximab (Erbitux), for treatment of adults with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation. Encorafenib was approved in 2018 for use with the mitogen-activated kinase (MEK) inhibitor binimetinib (Mektovi) for treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation.

The FDA has approved the oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor baricitinib (Olumiant) for treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized adults who require supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Baricitinib was previously available for this indication under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA); it remains available under an EUA for use in children 2-17 years old hospitalized with COVID-19 who require oxygen support.

Lazertinib (Lazcluze – Janssen Biotech), an oral kinase inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for use in combination with the EGFR-MET bispecific antibody amivantamab (Rybrevant) for first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations. This is the first approval for Lazcluze; amivantamab was previously approved for use alone and in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed for treatment of NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion...

Tyrvaya (Oyster Point), a nasal spray formulation of the cholinergic agonist varenicline, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of dry eye disease. It is the first nasal spray to be approved in the US for this indication. An oral formulation of varenicline (Chantix, and generics) has been available for years for smoking cessation.

The FDA has approved Aurlumyn (Eicos Sciences), an IV formulation of the prostacyclin analog iloprost, to reduce the risk of digit amputation in adults with severe frostbite. Iloprost is the first drug to be approved by the FDA for treatment of severe frostbite; it has been used off-label for this indication in the EU and elsewhere for decades. In the US, iloprost is also available as an inhaled formulation (Ventavis) for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

View the Comparison Table: Some Oral/Transdermal Opioid Analgesics

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, but cognitive decline is also associated with other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.