The FDA has approved trifarotene 0.005% cream (Aklief – Galderma) for topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients ≥9 years old. Trifarotene is the fourth topical retinoid to be approved in the US for treatment of acne; tretinoin (Retin-A, and others), adapalene (Differin, and generics), and tazarotene (Tazorac, and others) have been available by prescription for decades. Adapalene 0.1% gel has been available over the counter since 2016 for treatment of acne in patients ≥12 years old.

The FDA has approved letermovir (Prevymis – Merck), a cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA terminase complex inhibitor, for prophylaxis of CMV infection and disease in CMV-seropositive adult recipients of an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Letermovir is the first CMV DNA terminase complex inhibitor to be approved in the US and the only drug specifically indicated for CMV prophylaxis in HCT patients. It is not approved for treatment of CMV infection.

Annovera (TherapeuticsMD), a contraceptive vaginal ring that releases segesterone acetate, a synthetic progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, was approved by the FDA in 2018 and is now available. It is the first product to contain segesterone and the second vaginal ring to become available in the US; NuvaRing, which delivers etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol, was the first. Unlike NuvaRing, which requires use of a new ring each month, the Annovera ring can be used for an entire year, but it must be removed for one week each month.

The FDA has approved darolutamide (Nubeqa – Bayer), an androgen receptor inhibitor, for oral treatment of nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Darolutamide is the third androgen receptor inhibitor to be approved for this indication; apalutamide (Erleada) and enzalutamide (Xtandi), which are also approved for use in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), were approved earlier.

This issue includes reviews of drugs for glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), bacterial conjunctivitis, and dry eye disease. Allergic conjunctivitis is reviewed in a separate issue.

Turmeric is a spice derived from the Curcuma longa plant. Dietary supplements and foods containing turmeric are widely promoted for relief of pain and to improve joint mobility, immunity, digestion, cardiovascular health, depression, anxiety, memory, and cognition.

The FDA has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq – Abbvie), an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, for treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have had an inadequate response to or cannot tolerate methotrexate (Trexall, and others). Upadacitinib is the third JAK inhibitor to be approved in the US for treatment of RA; tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR) and baricitinib (Olumiant) were approved earlier.

Cannabis (marijuana) contains more than 60 pharmacologically active cannabinoids; delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the best known. THC is the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis. CBD, unlike THC, does not produce intoxication or euphoria.

The FDA has approved a new formulation of glucagon (Gvoke – Xeris) for subcutaneous treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients ≥2 years old with diabetes. Conscious patients with symptoms of hypoglycemia can take oral glucose. Glucagon is usually administered by a caregiver to an unresponsive patient. The new formulation is available in a single-use prefilled syringe (Gvoke PFS) and is expected to become available in a single-use auto-injector (Gvoke HypoPen) in 2020. Unlike previously available injectable glucagon products (Glucagon Emergency Kit, and others), Gvoke does not...

An oral formulation of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide (Rybelsus – Novo Nordisk) has been approved by the FDA for once-daily treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. Semaglutide, which has been available in a subcutaneously-injected formulation (Ozempic) since 2017, is the first GLP-1 receptor agonist to become available for oral administration; the 4 other GLP-1 receptor agonists currently available in the US are administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection.