Rozanolixizumab-noli (Rystiggo – UCB), a neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis in adults with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies. It is the first drug to be approved for treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis in patients with anti-MuSK antibodies. Four other biologic drugs – the FcRn blocker efgartigimod alfa (Vyvgart; Vyvgart Hytrulo) and the complement inhibitors eculizumab (Soliris), ravulizumab (Ultomiris), and zilucoplan (Zilbrysq) – are...

Nemolizumab (Nemluvio – Galderma), a subcutaneously injected interleukin-31 (IL-31) receptor antagonist, has been approved by the FDA for use in combination with topical corticosteroids and/or calcineurin inhibitors for treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in patients ≥12 years old whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription drugs. It is the first IL-31 receptor antagonist to be approved in the US for this indication. Nemolizumab was approved earlier for treatment of prurigo nodularis in adults.

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.

Rocuronium bromide (Zemuron - Organon), a new short-onset, intermediate-acting, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug, is now available in the USA for intravenous use. It is being promoted particularly for use in rapid endotracheal intubation.

Recombinant human α-L-iduronidase (laronidase; Aldurazyme BioMarin/Genzyme), an orphan drug, has been approved by the FDA for enzyme replacement therapy in mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type I, a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme. This review describes the disease, treatment, adverse effects and cost.

The FDA has approved a topical 8% patch formulation of capsaicin (Qutenza – NeurogesX), available only by prescription, for local treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs after herpes zoster in about one third of patients ≥60 years old and can persist for months or even years.

The FDA has approved Nuedexta (Avanir), a fixed-dose combination of the cough suppressant dextromethorphan hydrobromide and the antiarrhythmic quinidine sulfate, for oral treatment of pseudobulbar affect. The combination is the first treatment approved by the FDA for this indication. Studies to support the effectiveness of Nuedexta were performed in patients with underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS); the drug has not been shown to be safe or effective in other types of emotional lability.

The FDA has approved the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist tocilizumab (Actemra – Genentech) for subcutaneous (SC) treatment of giant cell arteritis in adults. It is the first drug to be approved in the US for this indication. Tocilizumab is also approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular or systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and cytokine release syndrome.

Rilonacept (Arcalyst – Kiniksa), an interleukin-1 (IL-1) antagonist that has been available for years for treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, has now been approved by the FDA for treatment of recurrent pericarditis and prevention of further recurrences in patients ≥12 years old. It is the first drug to be approved in the US for this indication. Anakinra (Kineret), an IL-1 receptor antagonist FDA-approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been used off-label for years for treatment of recurrent pericarditis.

Epcoritamab-bysp (Epkinly – Genmab), a bispecific CD20-directed CD3 T-cell engager, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for subcutaneous treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. Epcoritamab is the second T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody to become available in the US for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; mosunetuzumab-axgb (Lunsumio) was recently approved for relapsed or refractory...