While more people than ever are getting tattoos, many come to regret their decision and would like to have them removed. The technology of removing tattoos is much better than it used to be, but still far from perfect. Complete removal of all pigments with restoration of normal skin color and texture is not always possible (M Kuperman-Beade et al, Am J Clin Dermatol 2001; 2:21; GM Lipper and RR Anderson in IM Freedberg et al, eds, Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine 6th ed, New York:McGraw-Hill 2003, page 2508).

The FDA has approved reslizumab (Cinqair – Teva), a humanized interleukin-5 (IL-5) antagonist monoclonal antibody, for add-on maintenance treatment of severe asthma in adults who have an eosinophilic phenotype. It is the second IL-5 antagonist to be approved in the US; mepolizumab (Nucala) was approved for the same indication in 2015.

The FDA has approved Kyleena (Bayer), an intrauterine device (IUD) that releases the synthetic progestin levonorgestrel, for prevention of pregnancy. It is the fourth levonorgestrel-releasing IUD to be approved in the US. Like Mirena, which has been available since 2000, Kyleena is approved for up to 5 years of use.

The FDA has approved the interleukin (IL)-23 blocker guselkumab (Tremfya – Janssen) for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Guselkumab is the first selective IL-23 blocker to become available in the US.

View Comparison Table: Some Drugs for Maintenance Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

New 2024-2025 formulations of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) that more closely target currently circulating variants have been licensed by the FDA for persons ≥12 years old and made available under FDA Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for use in persons 6 months to 11 years old.1-3 A 2024-2025 formulation of the adjuvanted protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax is expected to become available soon for persons ≥12 years old.

Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren - Geigy), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) available in some countries since 1974, was recently introduced in the USA for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. It is being promoted as 'The number one prescribed antiarthritic in the world.'

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved HibTITER (Lederle-Praxis) and PedvaxHIB (Merck), two new Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines, for use in infants as part of their primary immunization schedule.

Sumatriptan (soo ma trip' tan; Imitrex - Glaxo), a serotonin (5-HT) agonist, is now available in Canada and may soon be available in the USA for oral or parenteral treatment of migraine headache. The parenteral formulation is designed for patients to inject themselves subcutaneously. Sumatriptan is not recommended for prophylactic use.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin - Genentech), a recombinant 'humanized' monoclonal antibody (rhuMAb) that binds to a protein encoded by the oncogene HER2, and capecitabine (ka pe site' a been; Xeloda - Roche), an oral pro-drug for 5-fluorouracil, have been approved by the FDA for treatment of metastatic breast cancer.