A transdermal formulation of the second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic asenapine (Secuado – Noven) has been approved by the FDA for once-daily treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Asenapine is the first antipsychotic to become available in a transdermal formulation in the US. A twice-daily sublingual tablet formulation of asenapine (Saphris) has been available since 2009.

Most respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses. Bacterial respiratory tract infections are usually treated empirically with antibiotic therapy that targets the most probable causative pathogens. Recommended antibiotic regimens for outpatient treatment of some common respiratory tract infections are listed in Table 1 for adults and Table 2 for children.

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.

The FDA has approved setmelanotide (Imcivree – Rhythm), a subcutaneously injected melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptor agonist, for chronic weight management in patients ≥6 years old with obesity due to pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency, proprotein subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) deficiency, or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency.

Yutiq (Eyepoint), an intravitreal implant containing the corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of chronic noninfectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. It is the third fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant to be approved in the US; Retisert, which is approved for the same indication as Yutiq, and Iluvien, which is approved for treatment of diabetic macular edema, were approved earlier. A dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) is approved by the FDA for treatment of noninfectious uveitis and macular...

Cholesterol management guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force were last published in 2019.

Since our initial review of the oral lipid-lowering adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitor bempedoic acid (Nexletol – Esperion) in 2020, cardiovascular outcomes data in statin-intolerant patients have become available.

The investigational neutralizing IgG1 monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555; Lilly) has been granted an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for treatment of recently diagnosed mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who are ≥12 years old, weigh at least 40 kg, and are at high risk for progressing to severe disease and/or hospitalization (see Table 1).

The oral polymerase acidic endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza — Genentech) is now FDAapproved for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza in patients ≥12 years old. Baloxavir was approved for treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients ≥12 years old in 2018.1 Two neuraminidase inhibitors are FDA-approved for prophylaxis of influenza: oseltamivir (Tamiflu, and generics) in patients ≥1 year old, and zanamivir (Relenza) in patients ≥5 years old.2 Unlike oseltamivir and zanamivir, baloxavir is not FDA-approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis of...

Teprotumumab-trbw (Tepezza - Horizon), an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for IV treatment of thyroid eye disease. It is the first drug to be approved in the US for this indication.