The FDA has approved a combination oral contraceptive containing the estrogen estetrol and the progestin drospirenone (Nextstellis – Mithra/Mayne). Estetrol is the first new estrogen to become available in the US in 50 years. Drospirenone is available alone (Slynd) and in combinations with the estrogen ethinyl estradiol for prevention of pregnancy.

An outbreak of monkeypox has recently spread around the globe and across the US. Updated information about the current outbreak is available from the CDC.

TThe FDA has licensed mResvia (Moderna), an mRNA respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, for prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by RSV in adults ≥60 years old. It is the first mRNA vaccine to be licensed in the US for this indication. Two recombinant RSV vaccines, Arexvy and Abrysvo, are also available for prevention of RSV LRTD. Arexvy is approved for use in adults ≥50 years old. Abrysvo is approved for use in adults ≥60 years old and in pregnant women to prevent RSV LRTD in their infants.

Lonapegsomatropin-tcgd (Skytrofa – Ascendis), a long-acting prodrug of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), has been approved by the FDA for once-weekly subcutaneous (SC) treatment of growth failure due to inadequate secretion of endogenous growth hormone in children ≥1 year old who weigh ≥11.5 kg. It is the first once-weekly rhGH product to be approved in the US; other available rhGH formulations are administered more frequently.

The FDA has approved clesrovimab-cfor (Enflonsia – Merck), a long-acting monoclonal antibody, for prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in neonates and infants born during or entering their first RSV season. Clesrovimab is the second drug to be approved for this indication; nirsevimab (Beyfortus), another long-acting monoclonal antibody, was the first. Palivizumab (Synagis), a shorter-acting antibody, is FDA-approved for prevention of severe RSV LRTI in certain high-risk children ≤24 months old.

The FDA has approved the oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor deuruxolitinib (Leqselvi – Sun) for treatment of severe alopecia areata in adults. Two other oral JAK inhibitors are approved for treatment of severe alopecia areata: baricitinib (Olumiant) is approved for use in adults, and ritlecitinib (Litfulo) is approved for use in patients ≥12 years old.

View the Comparison Table: Antiviral Drugs for Seasonal Influenza for 2025-2026

View the Comparison Table: Some Nonopioid Analgesics for Pain

The FDA has approved nirsevimab-alip (Beyfortus – AstraZeneca/Sanofi), a long-acting monoclonal antibody, for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in neonates and infants born during or entering their first RSV season, and in children ≤24 months old who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. Nirsevimab is the first drug to be approved for protection of all infants during their first RSV season.

Opioid use disorder is a chronic, relapsing disease with physical and psychiatric components. It is associated with economic hardship, social isolation, incarceration, increased rates of blood-borne infections such as HIV and viral hepatitis, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and increased mortality. According to the NIH, there were 80,411 deaths involving an opioid in the US in 2021, more than in any previous year. Several guidelines on the management of opioid use disorder are available; all recommend maintenance pharmacotherapy as the standard of care.