FDA Approves New Juvéderm Cosmetic Drug

The FDA has approved Juvéderm® Volux™ XC (hyaluronic acid) to improve moderate to severe loss of jawline definition in adults older than 21 years.

  • The product is the newest addition to the Juvéderm line of injectable gels for cosmetic use made by Allergan Juvéderm injectable gels treat wrinkles and lines in cheeks, chin, lips, and undereye hollows.
  • Juvéderm Volux XC is administered via deep injection by a trained healthcare professional. The manufacturer plans to launch healthcare provider training in the fall of 2022, with wider product distribution expected in 2023.

Cimerli

Cimerli™ (ranibizumab-eqrn) from Coherus BioSciences has been approved as the first interchangeable biosimilar to Lucentis (ranibizumab injection). Cimerli is used to treat neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

  • Cimerli is used to treat macular edema (swelling) caused by diabetes or by a blockage in the blood vessels. it is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy, the most common cause of vision loss in people with diabetes.
  • Usual Adult Dose for Macular Degeneration:
    • 5 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)
    • Although not as effective, patients may be treated with 3 monthly doses followed by less frequent dosing with regular assessment. Patients may also be treated with one dose every 3 months after 4 monthly doses. Patients should be assessed regularly.
    • Use: Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • Usual Adult Dose for Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO):
    • 5 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)
    • Use: Macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
  • Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME):
    • 3 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)
    • Use: Diabetic macular edema (DME)
  • Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Retinopathy:
    • 3 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days)
    • Use: Diabetic retinopathy
  • Usual Adult Dose for Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization (mCNV):
    • 5 mg via intravitreal injection once a month (approximately 28 days) for up to three months. Patients may be retreated if needed
    • Use: Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV)
  • No pricing information has been made available, but an October launch is anticipated.

Brand Medications with Generic Alternatives Anticipated to be Approved in September

  • Oravig (miconazole) – for oropharyngeal candidiasis

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of a recalled product can be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program online, by mail, or by fax.

 

Actual drug patent expiration dates and availability of new medications are subject to change due to patent litigation, settlement agreements, additional patents, exclusivities, and final FDA approval. Distribution and availability of new medications at pharmacies may not occur immediately following FDA approval. Patients are advised to speak with their healthcare professional or pharmacist regarding appropriateness as well as actual availability.

*This is provided for information only. The reference to any medication above does not mean the medication is covered by your plan.

Stelara Now Indicated for Psoriatic Arthritis in Children

Janssen’s Stelara® (ustekinumab) has received expanded approval to treat patients who are at least six years old and have active psoriatic arthritis.

  • Stelara first received FDA approval in 2009, and is also indicated to treat psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative Prior to the expanded indication, it was only approved for psoriatic arthritis in adult patients.
  • Recommended dosing for pediatric patients for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis is based on the patient’s weight. The recommended route of administration is subcutaneous injection.

Enhertu

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s joint product Enhertu® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan- nxki) has been approved for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial.

  • The FDA also approved two companion diagnostics for Enhertu: Life Technologies’ Oncomine Dx Target Test (for tissue) and Guardant Health’s Guardant360 CDx (for plasma).
  • Enhertu has been evaluated at two recommended doses: 4 mg/kg and 6.4 mg/kg given intravenously every 3 weeks.
  • Enhertu is priced at $2,613.56 per 100mg.
  • Emhertu first received FDA approval on 12/20/2019, under the provisions of accelerated approval regulations (21 CFR 314.500).

Brand Medications with Generic Alternatives Anticipated to be Approved in August

  • Keveyis (dichlorphenamide) – for hyperkalemic (elevated potassium) paralysis
  • Kinevac (sincalide) – for diagnosis of gallbladder and pancreatic disorders and imaging of the intestines
  • Vibvativ (telavancin) – for severe bacterial skin infections and hospital- or ventilator- associated bacterial pneumonia

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of a recalled product can be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program online, by mail, or by fax.

Actual drug patent expiration dates and availability of new medications are subject to change due to patent litigation, settlement agreements, additional patents, exclusivities, and final FDA approval. Distribution and availability of new medications at pharmacies may not occur immediately following FDA approval. Patients are advised to speak with their healthcare professional or pharmacist regarding appropriateness as well as actual availability.

*This is provided for information only. The reference to any medication above does not mean the medication is covered by your plan.

Rebinyn Approved to Prevent Hemophilia B Bleeding Episodes

The U.S. FDA has approved an expanded indication for Rebinyn® [coagulation factor IX (recombinant), glycopegylated]. The product is now indicated for routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adults and children who have hemophilia B (congenital factor IX deficiency).

  • Originally FDA approved in 2017, Rebinyn is also indicated for use in adults and children who have hemophilia B to provide on-demand treatment and control of bleeding episodes, as well as perioperative management of bleeding.
  • The recommended dosing for routine prophylaxis is 40 IU/kg of the patient’s body weight administered via intravenous injection once weekly.

New Topical Medication Zoryve Approved for Plaque Psoriasis

Zoryve™ (roflumilast – Arcutis Biotherapeutics) has obtained FDA approval as a topical treatment for plaque psoriasis, including for intertriginous areas (skin folds), in patients who are at least 12 years old.

  • Under the recommended dosing, Zoryve is applied once daily to affected areas of the skin.
  • Arcutis Biotherapeutics has launched Zoryve at a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $825 per 60g tube.

Benlysta Approved for Younger Lupus Nephritis Patients

Benlysta® (belimumab – GSK) has received an expanded indication to treat active lupus nephritis in patients who are at least five years old and receiving standard therapy.

  • In 2011 Benlysta was given FDA approval for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis treatment in It has now been indicated to treat both active systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis in patients who are at least five years old and receiving standard therapy.
  • Recommended dosing is based on the patient’s age, diagnosis, and weight.

Hadlima

Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. and Organon & Co. (NYSE: OGN) announced the FDA approval of the citrate-free, high-concentration (100 mg/mL) formulation of HADLIMA™ (adalimumab-bwwd), a biosimilar referencing HUMIRA® (adalimumab). HADLIMA will be available in pre-filled syringes and autoinjector options. The autoinjector was specifically designed with the patient in mind.

  • Hadlima is the fourth FDA approved biosimilar to adlimumbad
  • It is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn’s Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis.
  • Planned launch in the S. is in 2023