Moderna is developing an mRNA vaccine for RSV that is similar to many COVID-19 vaccines. Patients who received the RSV vaccine had an 83% relative risk reduction for the illness, according to a recent study, and an overall lower risk for hospitalization. The FDA has approved two RSV vaccines approved for older adults, but clinicians may find it challenging to get older patients vaccinated for this and other preventable illnesses. Between 60,000 and 120,000 older adults are hospitalized and 6000-10,000 die of RSV infection each year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once considered an illness that is more prevalent in young children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has become more prevalent and severe among older adults. 'And I think this will be an important addition to nonhormonal therapy.' RSV Vaccine for Everyone ' offers a different option that physicians may be more comfortable prescribing,' Smetana said. Other nonestrogen treatments, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), gabapentin, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and hypnosis, are modestly effective, according to the North American Menopause Society. Some of the side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and insomnia. Results from the SKYLIGHT 1 randomized controlled trial of fezolinetant found the medication reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes. ' specifically works in the area of the brain that's involved in body temperature regulation and sweating,' Smetana said. Nonhormonal Drug for Menopauseįezolinetant, the first neurokinin receptor antagonist to receive approval from the FDA to treat vasomotor symptoms, may be an option for women concerned about hormone-based therapy for menopausal hot flashes. H2 blockers generally cost patients less than $10 for 1 month's supply, whereas vonoprazan can cost up to $650. Despite its efficacy, cost may be a barrier to many patients. Vonoprazan is FDA approved for only 6 months of use. Vonoprazan 'has more rapid absorption than PPIs longer half-life and is more potent than PPIs, so theoretically it could be more effective in certain settings,' Smetana said. The approval of vonoprazan for erosive GERD was based on results from the phase 3 PHALCON-EE study, a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study that found the drug to be more effective than lansoprazole in treating erosive esophagitis. Vonoprazan blocks potassium binding to ATPase proton pumps and inhibits the secretion of gastric acid. 'We know that not all patients are going to have symptom relief with H2 blockers and PPIs, so there's an opportunity for patients who don't get full symptom relief,' Smetana told attendees. Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the first-line treatment for the condition but can have long-term side effects such as Clostridioides difficile infection and kidney lesions. GERD is the most common gastrointestinal symptom encountered by primary care physicians. Vonoprazan, an oral potassium-competitive acid blocker - which received FDA approval in November 2023 - may be a good alternative for patients whose symptoms continue to linger despite taking medications designated to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). During a presentation on April 18 at the annual American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting, Gerald Smetana, MD, professor of medicine in the Division of General Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, reviewed four of these new therapies that are likely to be particularly important for primary care clinicians.

BOSTON - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 55 new medications in 2023 and 11 more in 2024 to date.

Gabapentin for hot flashes