Introduction Nivolumab is an anticancer immunotherapy marketed under the brand name Opdivo. Pharmacologically, nivolumab is a programmed death receptor-1 blocking antibody, commonly called a PD-1 inhibitor or immune checkpoint inhibitor. Cancer cells can escape immune destruction by activating inhibitory pathways that suppress T-cell function. One of the most important immune escape pathways is the PD-1/PD-L1 … Read more
Introduction Kcentra is a human plasma-derived blood coagulation factor replacement product. Pharmacologically, Kcentra is a four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate, commonly abbreviated as 4F-PCC. Kcentra contains vitamin K-dependent coagulation Factors II, VII, IX, and X, together known as the prothrombin complex. It also contains the natural antithrombotic proteins Protein C and Protein S. The product is … Read more
Introduction Sarilumab is a biologic immunomodulatory drug marketed under the brand name Kevzara. Pharmacologically, sarilumab is an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist, commonly called an IL-6 receptor blocker. Interleukin-6, or IL-6, is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in immune-cell activation, acute-phase inflammation, antibody production, hepatic acute-phase protein synthesis, hematopoiesis, fever, systemic inflammation, and synovial inflammation. Excessive IL-6 signaling … Read more
Introduction Vilazodone is an oral antidepressant marketed under the brand name Viibryd. Pharmacologically, vilazodone is commonly described as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist. Major depressive disorder, commonly called MDD, is a psychiatric disorder involving persistent low mood, anhedonia, sleep disturbance, appetite changes, fatigue, guilt, impaired concentration, psychomotor changes, and suicidal … Read more
Introduction Cariprazine is an oral atypical antipsychotic marketed under the brand name Vraylar. Pharmacologically, cariprazine is a dopamine-serotonin receptor modulator with partial agonist activity at dopamine D3 and D2 receptors and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, plus antagonist activity at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and major depressive disorder involve complex … Read more
Introduction Teclistamab is an anticancer immunotherapy marketed under the brand name Tecvayli. Pharmacologically, teclistamab-cqyv is a bispecific B-cell maturation antigen-directed CD3 T-cell engager used in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a malignant plasma-cell disorder. In this disease, abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and produce monoclonal immunoglobulin or light chains. … Read more
Introduction Xcopri is the brand name of cenobamate, an oral antiseizure medication used for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults. Pharmacologically, cenobamate is an antiseizure drug with dual actions on neuronal excitability: inhibition of voltage-gated sodium currents and positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A ion channels. Partial-onset seizures, also called focal seizures, begin in one … Read more
Introduction Tenapanor is an oral, locally acting gastrointestinal drug marketed under two important brand names: Ibsrela and Xphozah. Pharmacologically, tenapanor is a sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3 inhibitor, commonly written as an NHE3 inhibitor. NHE3 is an antiporter located on the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells in the small intestine and colon. It plays an important … Read more
Introduction Patiromer is an oral potassium-binding drug marketed under the brand name Veltassa. Pharmacologically, patiromer is a non-absorbed cation exchange polymer used for the treatment of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia means increased serum potassium concentration. Potassium is essential for normal nerve conduction, skeletal muscle contraction, and cardiac electrical activity. However, excessive potassium can disturb cardiac conduction and … Read more
Introduction Rybrevant is the brand name of amivantamab-vmjw, an anticancer biologic used in selected patients with non-small cell lung cancer, commonly abbreviated as NSCLC. Pharmacologically, Rybrevant is a bispecific antibody directed against two important receptor targets: epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR, and MET receptor. NSCLC is a major type of lung cancer. In some … Read more
