The FDA has licensed Capvaxive (PCV21; Merck), a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and pneumococcal pneumonia in adults. Four other pneumococcal vaccines are currently available in the US: Prevnar 20 (PCV20), Vaxneuvance (PCV15), and Prevnar 13 (PCV13) are conjugate vaccines licensed for use in persons ≥6 weeks old, and Pneumovax 23 (PPSV23) is a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine licensed for use in persons ≥2 years old (see Table 1).

The FDA has approved mannitol powder for oral inhalation (Bronchitol – Chiesi) as add-on maintenance treatment to improve pulmonary function in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). This product has been available in Europe for the same indication since 2012. Another formulation of mannitol inhalation powder (Aridol) is approved in the US for assessment of bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

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.

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 the complement C5 inhibitor zilucoplan (Zilbrysq – UCB) for once-daily subcutaneous treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive. Zilucoplan is the first complement inhibitor to be approved for treatment of myasthenia gravis that can be self-administered. Two IV complement inhibitors, eculizumab (Soliris) and ravulizumab (Ultomiris), were approved earlier.

The main goals of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are to relieve symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations, prevent disease progression, and reduce mortality. GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines for treatment of COPD were updated recently. Treatment of acute exacerbations is not discussed here. Drugs available for treatment of COPD are listed in Tables 1 and 3.

The FDA has approved Phexxi (Evofem), a nonhormonal prescription-only vaginal gel containing lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate, for prevention of pregnancy. The gel is intended for on-demand contraception; it is not effective when used after intercourse. It was previously approved for use as a vaginal lubricant (Amphora), but was never marketed.

The FDA has licensed two new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults: Prevnar 20 (PCV20; Pfizer), which contains antigens from 20 serotypes of pneumococcus, and Vaxneuvance (PCV15; Merck), which contains antigens from 15 serotypes. Two other pneumococcal vaccines are available in the US: Prevnar 13 (PCV13; Pfizer), a 13-valent conjugate vaccine licensed for use in persons ≥6 weeks old, and Pneumovax 23 (PPSV23; Merck), a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine licensed for use in persons ≥2 years...

View the Comparison Table: Some Drugs for Gout

The FDA has approved an oral tablet formulation of sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride (Sutab – Braintree) for colon cleansing prior to colonoscopy in adults. A sodium sulfate-based oral solution (Suprep) has been available in the US since 2010. Sutab is the second tablet formulation to be approved for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy; a sodium phosphate-based tablet (OsmoPrep) was approved earlier.