1
In Brief: Alternatives to Adderall
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 28, 2022; (Issue 1664)
The short-acting formulation of mixed amphetamine
salts (Adderall, and generics) FDA-approved for
treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and narcolepsy, is currently in short supply in
the US. Until an adequate supply is restored, patients
may be looking for alternatives.
2
Influenza Vaccine for 2024-2025
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 16, 2024; (Issue 1711)
Annual vaccination in the US against influenza A and
B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months
old without a contraindication. Influenza vaccines
available in the US for the 2024-2025 season are
listed in Table 2.
3
In Brief: New Warning for the RSV Vaccines Arexvy and Abrysvo
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 17, 2025; (Issue 1722)
The FDA has required a new warning in the labels of the
recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines
Arexvy (GSK) and Abrysvo (Pfizer) about an increased
risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 42 days
of administration of either vaccine. Both vaccines
are FDA-approved to prevent lower respiratory tract
disease (LRTD) caused by RSV in adults.Abrysvo is
also approved for use in pregnant women at 32-36
weeks' gestation to prevent RSV-associated LRTD in
their infants from birth through 6 months of age.
4
Antiviral Drugs for Seasonal Influenza for 2024-2025
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 9, 2024; (Issue 1717)
Influenza is generally a self-limited illness, but
pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death can occur,
especially in persons at increased risk for influenza
complications (see Table 1). Updated information on
influenza activity and antiviral resistance is available
from the CDC at cdc.gov/flu.
5
Comparison Chart: Interleukin (IL) Receptor Antagonists for Atopic Dermatitis (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 17, 2025; (Issue 1722)
View the Comparison Chart: Interleukin (IL) Receptor Antagonists for Atopic Dermatitis
6
In Brief: Anaphylaxis with Glatiramer Acetate
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 17, 2025; (Issue 1722)
The FDA has required a new boxed warning in the label
of the subcutaneously injected immunomodulatory
drug glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa, and
generics) about a risk of anaphylaxis. Glatiramer has
been used for years to treat relapsing forms of multiple
sclerosis (MS).
7
Suzetrigine (Journavx) — A Sodium Channel Blocker for Acute Pain
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 3, 2025; (Issue 1723)
The FDA has approved suzetrigine (Journavx –
Vertex), a selective sodium channel blocker, for oral
treatment of moderate to severe acute pain in adults.
Suzetrigine is the first sodium channel blocker to be
approved in the US for this indication and the first oral
nonopioid drug to be approved for treatment of pain
in over 25 years.
8
Capvaxive – A 21-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 14, 2024; (Issue 1713)
The FDA has licensed Capvaxive (PCV21; Merck),
a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, for
prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)
and pneumococcal pneumonia in adults. Four other
pneumococcal vaccines are currently available in the
US: Prevnar 20 (PCV20), Vaxneuvance (PCV15), and
Prevnar 13 (PCV13) are conjugate vaccines licensed
for use in persons ≥6 weeks old, and Pneumovax 23
(PPSV23) is a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
licensed for use in persons ≥2 years old (see Table 1).
9
Nemolizumab (Nemluvio) for Atopic Dermatitis
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 17, 2025; (Issue 1722)
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.
10
Tirzepatide (Zepbound) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 17, 2025; (Issue 1722)
The injectable glucose-dependent insulinotropic
polypeptide (GIP)/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
receptor agonist tirzepatide (Zepbound) has been
approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to
severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with
obesity. It is the first drug to be approved in the US for
this indication. Zepbound is also approved for chronic
weight management in adults with obesity and in those
who are overweight and have at least one weightrelated
comorbidity. Tirzepatide is also available as
Mounjaro for treatment of type 2 diabetes.