Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) has been FDA-approved for adults with chronic kidney disease to reduce the risk of eGFR decline, end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American College of Gastroenterologists (ACG) have both released updates for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI):

• First (initial) episode: preferred first-line treatment options remain the same (fidaxomicin or oral vancomycin).
• Second episode (first recurrence): can be treated with any of the following regardless of the antibiotic used for the initial episode (unless noted):
  • Fidaxomicin 200 mg PO BID x 10 days
  • Vancomycin tapered and pulsed regimen (e.g., vancomycin 125 mg PO QID for 10 days, then BID for one week, then once per day for one week, then every 2 or 3 days for 2-8 weeks)
  • Vancomycin 125 mg PO QID x 10 days (if metronidazole was used to treat the initial episode)
• Subsequent episodes: treatment options for the third episode or greater remain the same.
• Bezlotoxumab has a more defined role in the prevention of recurrent CDI. It can be considered in high risk patients (e.g., age ≥ 65, immunocompromised, severe presentation and/or a second episode within the past 6 months) and must be used in combination with antibiotics active against C. difficile (e.g., fidaxomicin or oral vancomycin). A labeled warning advises caution when used in patients with a history of heart failure.

Empagliflozin (Jardiance) has been FDA-approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Semaglutide (Wegovy) injection has been FDA-approved for weight management in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one additional weight-related condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia).

On the clipboard describing USP 797 cleaning requirements, the minimum frequency of cleaning the carts should be monthly.

All controlled substances (schedule II – V) can be stored in a locked cabinet or dispersed among other drugs. Prior to this change, schedule II drugs needed to be stored in a securely locked cabinet or vault and could not be dispersed throughout the stock of non-controlled drugs.

The FDA has approved the first interchangeable biosimilar, Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn), as a substitute for Lantus (insulin glargine). The approval allows for substitution of the biosimilar for Lantus at the pharmacy without the need for a separate prescription.

Regarding the prescription drugs that do not require child-resistant packaging, colesevelam powder should read ≤ 3.75 grams/package.

The 4th bullet in the Methadone Study Tip should read “(days 271 - 365).”

The FDA has approved the first interchangeable biosimilar, Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn), as a substitute for Lantus (insulin glargine). The approval allows for substitution of the biosimilar for Lantus at the pharmacy without the need for a separate prescription.

The following updates were made to secure prescription form requirements:

• In addition to the features noted on p. 120 and 121, security prescription forms must now contain a barcode and the prescriber's pre-printed address.
• The serial number formatting has also changed from 15 digits (3 letters followed by 12 numbers) to 12 digits (any combination of letters and numbers) that corresponds with the barcode.