Implanon (Organon), an implantable contraceptive containing the progestin etonogestrel, has been approved by the FDA. Two other implantable contraceptives, Norplant and Jadelle, which both contain levonorgestrel, are FDA-approved but not marketed in the US.

Modestly elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations have been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The recently published and heavily publicized results of the JUPITER trial will lead many patients to ask health care professionals whether they should have a CRP test to see if they should be taking a statin.

An extended-release injectable formulation of the second-generation antipsychotic aripiprazole (Abilify) has been approved by the FDA (Abilify Maintena – Otsuka/Lundbeck) for once-monthly treatment of schizophrenia. It is the fourth second-generation antipsychotic to become available in a long-acting parenteral formulation. Long-acting parenteral antipsychotics, given at intervals of 2-4 weeks, are generally used for patients with a history of relapse due to poor adherence to oral maintenance therapy.

The FDA has approved Simbrinza (Alcon), an ophthalmic combination of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor brinzolamide and the selective alpha₂-adrenergic receptor agonist brimonidine, for reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Simbrinza is the first product to combine drugs from these 2 classes.

The FDA has approved elvitegravir (Vitekta – Gilead), an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), for use with a protease inhibitor (PI) plus ritonavir and other antiretroviral drugs for treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced adults. Elvitegravir is also available in a fixed-dose combination (Stribild) with the pharmacokinetic enhancer cobicistat and the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF). A similar combination (Genvoya) that includes tenofovir alafenamide instead of tenofovir...

The FDA has approved Arymo ER (Egalet), a new extended-release, abuse-deterrent tablet formulation of morphine sulfate, for management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Arymo ER can only be marketed to deter abuse by injection because another single-entity, extended-release morphine product, MorphaBond, which has not been marketed to date, has marketing exclusivity for deterrence of abuse by the intranasal route through October 2018.

The FDA has approved remimazolam (Byfavo – Acacia Pharma), an ultra-short-acting IV benzodiazepine, for induction and maintenance of sedation in adults undergoing procedures of up to 30 minutes' duration.

Three products are currently available in the US for treatment of high-risk,1 nonhospitalized adults with mild to moderate COVID-19: oral ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid), IV remdesivir (Veklury), and oral molnupiravir (Lagevrio). Remdesivir is FDA-approved for such use; nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir are available under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization. Because the pivotal clinical trials of these products for outpatient use were conducted in patients who were not vaccinated against COVID-19, some clinicians have questioned whether they can benefit vaccinated...

Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory facial eruption of unknown cause. It is more prevalent in women than in men, and disease onset typically occurs after age 30. Rosacea is characterized by erythema, telangiectasia, and flushing, and sometimes by recurrent, progressive crops of acneiform papules and pustules, usually on the central part of the face. Some patients develop granulomas and tissue hypertrophy, which may lead to rhinophyma (a bulbous nose), particularly in men. Blepharitis and conjunctivitis are common. Keratitis and corneal scarring occur rarely.

Most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) present with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease. Pharmacologic treatment usually includes a disease-modifying drug, corticosteroids for acute exacerbations, and other drugs for managing symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and pain. Early use of disease-modifying therapy has improved clinical outcomes.