Most Read Articles

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.

Topical ivermectin lotion 0.5% (Sklice, and generics), which has been available by prescription since 2012, is now FDA-approved for sale over the counter (OTC) for treatment of head lice in patients ≥6 months old. Ivermectin is also available by prescription as a 1% cream (Soolantra) approved for topical treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea and in oral tablets (Stromectol, and generics) for treatment of various parasitic infections.

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).

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.

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.

Omlyclo (omalizumab-igec; Celltrion), a biosimilar product interchangeable with the recombinant anti-IgE monoclonal antibody Xolair, has been approved by the FDA for same indications as Xolair (see Table 1). Omlyclo is the first Xolair biosimilar to be approved in the US.

The FDA has licensed mNEXSPIKE (Moderna), an mRNA vaccine, for prevention of COVID-19 in adults ≥65 years old and in persons 12-64 years old who have a condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. Spikevax, the original Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, remains in production2; it is licensed for use in persons ≥12 years old and is available under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for children 6 months to 11 years old.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of April 24 there have been 844 confirmed cases of measles in the US in 2025; 11% of cases have resulted in hospitalization and 3 patients have died. The majority of cases (96%) have been in unvaccinated persons or in those whose vaccination history was unknown

The FDA has announced that prescribers, pharmacies, and patients are no longer required to participate in a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program for the second-generation antipsychotic drug clozapine (Clozaril, and others).

Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is usually empiric, with selected antibiotic regimens directed against some of the most common causative pathogens. Recommended empiric regimens are listed in Table 2; recommended antibiotic dosages for treatment of CAP are listed in Tables 3 and 4. Joint guidelines for treatment of CAP by the American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) were updated in 2019.