Adults with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2 are considered overweight. Those with a BMI ≥30 are considered obese. The initial recommendation for any weight loss effort is to achieve a 5-10% reduction in weight, which has been associated with a reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Diet, exercise, and behavior modification are the preferred methods for losing weight, but long-term weight maintenance can be difficult. Several drugs and devices are FDA-approved for weight reduction and maintenance of weight...

The FDA recently expanded the eligibility criteria (see Table 1) for treatment with the surgically implanted hypoglossal nerve stimulation system (Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation – Inspire Medical Systems). The device has been advertised lately on radio and television.

The FDA has authorized use of the Valeda Light Delivery System (LumiThera), a multiwavelength photobiomodulation (PBM) device, to improve visual acuity in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who have best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/32 to 20/70.

Since 2007, antimicrobial prophylaxis for dental procedures has been recommended to prevent viridans group streptococcal infective endocarditis only for patients at highest risk of an adverse outcome. Limiting use to such patients does not appear to have led to an increased incidence of infective endocarditis or increased mortality due to infective endocarditis.

The FDA has authorized use of the Visby Medical Women's Sexual Health Test (Visby), an at-home test available without a prescription, for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis infections in women with and without symptoms. It is the first test to become available in the US for these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can be performed entirely at home. Other at-home tests are available in the US for diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniaisis, but they require mailing a urine or blood sample to a...

Our recent article on Drugs for Hypertension (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2024; 66:81) described both the Paradise and Symplicity Spyral renal denervation devices as ultrasound devices. That is true for the Paradise device, but Symplicity Spyral uses radiofrequency ablation.

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 Vibrant orally administered vibrating capsule (Vibrant Gastro), an FDA-cleared medical device, is now available by prescription for treatment of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) who have not experienced relief of their bowel symptoms by using laxative therapies at the recommended dosage for at least one month. It is the first drug-free treatment to be authorized by the FDA for this indication.

Miudella (Sebela), a copper intrauterine device (IUD), has been approved by the FDA for prevention of pregnancy for up to 3 years. Miudella is the second copper IUD to be approved in the US; ParaGard, which contains more copper and is approved for up to 10 years of use, was approved in 1984. Four hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Liletta, Skyla, Kyleena) that release the progestin levonorgestrel are also available for pregnancy prevention (see Table 2).

The FDA has approved a higher-dose intranasal naloxone formulation (Kloxxado – Hikma) for emergency treatment of opioid overdose. A single spray of the new formulation delivers 8 mg of naloxone; a formulation that delivers 4 mg per spray (Narcan) was approved in 2015.