1
In Brief: New Warnings for Carbidopa/Levodopa Products
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 27, 2026; (Issue 1753)
The FDA has required that the labels of all carbidopa/levodopa-containing products (Crexont, Dhivy, Duopa,
Rytary, Sinemet, Sinemet CR, Stalevo, Vyalev) include
a warning about the risk of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency and vitamin B6 deficiency-related seizures
associated with their use. The combination of
carbidopa/levodopa is the most effective treatment
for the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and
recent evidence favors its early use.
2
COVID-19 Update: 2025-2026 Vaccine Formulations and Recommendations
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 13, 2025; (Issue 1739)
The FDA has licensed new 2025-2026 formulations
of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by
Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax,
mNEXSPIKE) and the adjuvanted protein subunit
COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax
(Nuvaxovid). The new formulations are indicated
for use in all adults ≥65 years old and in persons
6 months (Spikevax), 5 years (Comirnaty), or 12
years (mNEXSPIKE, Nuvaxovid) through 64 years old
who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 because
of an underlying condition. An Emergency Use
Authorization allowing administration of the Pfizer
vaccine to children 6 months through 4 years old has
been withdrawn.
3
In Brief: Vybrique — Sildenafil Oral Film for Erectile Dysfunction
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 11, 2026; (Issue 1754)
The FDA has approved Vybrique (IBSA), an oral film
formulation of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5)
inhibitor sildenafil, for treatment of erectile dysfunction
(ED). Sildenafil oral tablets (Viagra, and generics)
have been available since 1998. The manufacturer is
promoting the new product as a "discreet, on-the-go"
option that can be taken without water.
4
In Brief: Wegovy HD – High-Dose Injectable Semaglutide for Weight Loss
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 11, 2026; (Issue 1754)
The FDA has approved Wegovy HD, a 7.2-mg dose of the
injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
semaglutide, for use in adults who have tolerated the 2.4-mg dose for at least 4 weeks and require additional weight
reduction.
5
Drugs for Sexually Transmitted Infections
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 27, 2026; (Issue 1753)
This review includes recommendations for the
treatment of common sexually transmitted infections
(STIs) other than HIV and viral hepatitis in nonpregnant
adolescents and adults. Some of the indications and
dosages included here have not been approved by
the FDA.
6
In Brief: RSV Vaccine (Arexvy) for Ages 18-49
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 11, 2026; (Issue 1754)
The FDA has expanded the licensed use of the recombinant
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Arexvy (GSK) to
include adults 18-49 years old. Arexvy and the two other
available RSV vaccines, Abrysvo and mResvia, are now all
licensed for prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease
in persons ≥60 years old and in those 18-59 years old who
are at increased risk of lower respiratory tract disease caused
by RSV. Abrysvo is also licensed for use in pregnant women at 32-36 weeks' gestation to prevent RSV-associated lower
respiratory tract disease in their infants from birth to 6 months.
7
Lerodalcibep (Lerochol) for Hypercholesterolemia
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 11, 2026; (Issue 1754)
The FDA has approved lerodalcibep (Lerochol – Lib
Therapeutics), a subcutaneously injected proprotein
convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, to
reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults
with hypercholesterolemia, including heterozygous familial
hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). Lerodalcibep is the fourth
subcutaneously injected PCSK9-directed therapy to be
approved in the US; the monoclonal antibodies alirocumab
(Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha) and the small interfering
RNA inclisiran (Leqvio) were approved earlier (see Table 3)
8
Leucovorin for Cerebral Folate Deficiency
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 11, 2026; (Issue 1754)
The FDA has approved use of oral leucovorin calcium (folinic
acid) for treatment of cerebral folate transport deficiency in
patients who have a confirmed variant in the folate receptor 1
gene (FOLR1-CFTD). It is the first drug to be approved for this
extremely rare disorder.
9
Relacorilant (Lifyorli) for Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 11, 2026; (Issue 1754)
Relacorilant (Lifyorli – Corcept Therapeutics), an oral
first-in-class glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, has
been approved by the FDA for use in combination with
nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane, and generics) for treatment
of platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube,
or primary peritoneal cancer in adults who received 1-3
prior lines of systemic therapy, one of which included
bevacizumab (Avastin, and others).
10
Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis and Allergic Conjunctivitis
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 31, 2025; (Issue 1725)
Initial treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) depends
on the severity of symptoms and whether they are
intermittent or persistent (see Table 1).
