The Drugs.com Monthly Update Podcast

Narrator: 00:01

Hello, and welcome to the July 2025 edition of Drugs.com monthly update, where we highlight key FDA approvals that could change the landscape of patient care. This episode uses AI tools to help with formatting, organization, and narration. All content has been reviewed by a senior editorial pharmacist.

Narrator: 00:24

This month, we're diving into significant updates, including the approval of Ekterly for hereditary angioedema, a new steroid free cream for chronic hand eczema called Anzupgo, and a novel dosing regimen for Kisunla in Alzheimer's treatment. Let's explore what these developments mean for healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Narrator: 00:47

Let's start with a condition that profoundly impacts patients' lives hereditary angioedema, or HAE. This genetic disease causes unpredictable and often painful swelling events that can affect multiple parts of the body, from limbs and face to the intestinal tract and airways. Until now, many treatments were invasive.

Narrator: 01:10

But now, there's a promising oral solution. Ekterly, spelled E K T E R L Y, has been approved for patients 12 and older to manage HAE attacks promptly.

Narrator: 01:23

Unlike its predecessors, which often require intravenous or subcutaneous administration, Ekterly is unique in its on demand oral tablet format. In the pivotal phase three trial, Ekterly showed symptom relief in just 1.6 hours compared to 6.7 hours with a placebo. It's still important to be cautious with patients who have severe liver issues, and side effects like headaches may occur. Next, let's move from genetic conditions to dermatological challenges. Chronic hand eczema can debilitate daily activities, yet steroid therapy is not suitable for all.

Narrator: 02:04

That's where Anzupgo comes in. Anzupgo, spelled A N Z U P G O, is the first steroid free topical treatment approved in The US for moderate to severe chronic hand eczema in adults. It works as a pan Janus kinase inhibitor, effectively altering the inflammatory process that causes the painful and itchy symptoms.

Narrator: 02:29

In clinical trials, it significantly outperformed the placebo, bringing clear or almost clear results to 20% and 29% of patients compared to a lower response in those using a non medicinal cream. Application is twice daily to affected areas, but safety notes include advice against using it with other potent immunosuppressants due to infection risks.

Narrator: 02:54

We now turn to a major therapeutic area, Alzheimer's disease, which affects countless families around the globe. For those in early symptomatic stages, there's promising news with the once monthly treatment of Kisunla, spelled K I S U N L A.

Narrator: 03:13

Designed to target and remove beta amyloid plaques in the brain, Kisunla offers a revised dosing regimen that could mitigate its most worrying side effect: ARIA-E , a swelling detected through MRI scans. Results from the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ-6 study suggest a 41% reduction in this side effect at 24 weeks. Though effective, this regimen requires close monitoring for imaging abnormalities, but it signals a step forward in patient management.

Narrator: 03:45

As a final note, these July 2025 medical advancements highlight the dynamic progress in therapeutic options available today. Whether it's new oral treatments or groundbreaking application methods, each offers hope and renewed quality of life to patients facing chronic challenges.

Narrator: 04:03

Thanks for tuning in to the Drugs.com monthly update podcast, where staying informed means staying ahead in your field.

Narrator: 04:10

Until next time, know more, be sure.