Drug Updates

Subcategories:Analgesics Biologics/DMARDs

FDA Approves Risankizumab-rzaa for PsA

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | April 20, 2022

Two recent trials demonstrated the safety and efficacy of risankizumab-rzaa for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis.

Is Hydroxychloroquine Safe During Pregnancy?

Arthritis & Rheumatology | March 31, 2022

Chambers et al. found no evidence of an increased risk of major structural birth defects nor any increase in a wide range of other pregnancy outcomes attributable to prenatal exposure to hydroxychloroquine.

The Ins & Outs of Patient Assistance Programs

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD | March 3, 2022

Although effective against rheumatic disease, biologic therapies come with hefty price tags. Patient assistance programs can be a useful resource to help under- and uninsured patients get the drugs they need.

Drug Transference in Pregnancy: RheumMadness 2022 TNFi in Cord Blood Scouting Report

University of Chicago Medicine: Lauren He, MD; & Cuoghi Edens, MD | March 2, 2022

A study was able to quantify the transference of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Overall, the researchers found low levels of transfer for the treatments studied.

Improving Bone Mineral Density: Risedronate vs. Denosumab

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | March 2, 2022

Treatment with denosumab for patients with RA and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis led to greater increases in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and hips of patients than treatment with risedronate.

Beyond Trial & Error: RheumMadness 2022 AI: TNFi Response Scouting Report

Cleveland Clinic Foundation Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Saja Almaaitah, MD; Shashank Cheemalavagu, MD; Rupal Shastri, MD; Perry Fuchs, MD; Melany Gonzalez Orta, MD; & James Vondenberg, DO | February 14, 2022

As the capabilities of machine learning and artificial intelligence improve, rheumatologists have access to more data than ever, which may enable them to better predict which patients will respond to specific treatments, such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

Clinical Insights into Axial Spondyloarthritis: Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, Part 5

Mary Choy, PharmD, BCGP, FASHP | February 10, 2022

Over the past few years, biosimilars and other new drugs have been introduced to treat rheumatic illnesses. Some of the conditions we treat have numerous drug options; others have few or only off-label options. This series, Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, provides streamlined information on the administration of biologic, biosimilar and other medications used to…

Clinical Insights into Gout Management: Q&A with Dr. Tuhina Neogi

Mary Choy, PharmD, BCGP, FASHP | February 9, 2022

Gout affects more than 9.2 million adults in the U.S. and is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. This condition and its complications are painful and potentially disabling with varying risk factors. It is characterized by symptoms that are usually sudden, with intense episodes of painful swelling in one or more joints, most often…

New Data Highlight Effectiveness of Guselkumab for Patients with PsA

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | February 2, 2022

The use of guselkumab improved joint and skin symptoms in biologic naive patients with PsA, according to research presented during ACR Convergence 2021.

Tigulixostat Appears Promising for the Treatment of Gout

Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP | February 2, 2022

In a phase 2 study, tigulixostat treatment proved safe for lowering serum uric acid (sUA) levels in patients with gout.