The FDA has approved an epinephrine nasal spray (neffy – ARS Pharma) for emergency treatment of type 1 hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis in patients who weigh ≥30 kg. It is the first noninjectable epinephrine product to be approved for this indication.

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.

Myfembree (Myovant/Pfizer), an oral fixed-dose combination of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist relugolix, the estrogen estradiol, and the progestin norethindrone acetate, has been approved by the FDA for management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) in premenopausal women. It is the second product to be approved in the US for this indication; Oriahnn, which contains the GnRH receptor antagonist elagolix in combination with estradiol and norethindrone acetate, was approved earlier. Relugolix was approved for...

The FDA has approved Lybalvi (Alkermes), a fixed-dose combination of the second-generation antipsychotic olanzapine (Zyprexa, and generics) and samidorphan, a new opioid antagonist, for treatment of adults with schizophrenia or with manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder. The addition of samidorphan is intended to mitigate the weight gain that occurs with olanzapine. This is the first FDA approval for samidorphan.

The FDA has approved Emblaveo (Abbvie), an intravenously administered fixed-dose combination of the monobactam antibacterial drug aztreonam and the beta-lactamase inhibitor avibactam, for use with metronidazole to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) in adults.

The FDA has approved Winlevi (Sun), a 1% cream formulation of the androgen receptor inhibitor clascoterone, for treatment of acne vulgaris in patients ≥12 years old. It is the first topical androgen receptor inhibitor to be approved by the FDA.

Oral semaglutide 1.5-, 4-, and 9-mg tablets, which were previously approved by the FDA (but never marketed) as the R2 formulation of Rybelsus, have now been approved as Ozempic (see Table 1). Both the original R1 formulation of Rybelsus (3-, 7-, and 14-mg tablets) and the renamed Ozempic tablets are FDA-approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at risk for these events. The R1 (Rybelsus) and R2 (Ozempic) formulations are not interchangeable on a mg-per-mg basis; Ozempic...

Tafasitamab-cxix (Monjuvi – Morphosys), a CD19-directed cytolytic antibody, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for use in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid) for treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, in adults who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant. Accelerated approval was based on overall response rates.

A reader commented that our recent article on Drugs for GERD and Peptic Ulcer Disease did not include enough information on dexlansoprazole (Dexilant, and generics), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) claimed to provide "all-day and all-night relief from heartburn". Dexlansoprazole recently became available generically, but it is much more expensive than other generic PPIs.

The FDA has approved Airsupra (AstraZeneca), a metered-dose inhaler containing the short-acting beta₂-agonist (SABA) albuterol and the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) budesonide, for use as needed for treatment or prevention of bronchoconstriction and to reduce the risk of exacerbations in patients ≥18 years old with asthma. Airsupra is the first combination of a SABA and an ICS to become available in the US. It is not approved for use as maintenance therapy.