{"title":"Acne vulgaris: a clinical update.","authors":"Laxmi Iyengar, Belinda Welsh","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2026.029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory condition with a substantial psychosocial burden. Early effective therapy reduces the risk of permanent scarring and mental health impacts. Combination topical therapy is recommended as initial and maintenance treatment for most patients (e.g. benzoyl peroxide and a topical retinoid). Topical antibiotics should not be used long-term, or as monotherapy, because of the risk of antibiotic resistance. Management has shifted away from prolonged oral antibiotic courses. If oral antibiotics are used, they should be time-limited (generally no more than 3 months) and paired with a non-antibiotic topical therapy. Oral isotretinoin is the most effective option for severe, scarring or treatment-resistant acne. Recent safety updates emphasise baseline and ongoing assessment of mental health, counselling about possible sexual adverse effects and stringent pregnancy prevention. The combined oral contraceptive and spironolactone are effective systemic options for women with persistent acne that can reduce reliance on repeated or prolonged antibiotic courses. Light-based therapies and physical therapies (e.g. comedone extraction) can be useful adjuncts, ideally accessed through dermatologists.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"49 4","pages":"138-144"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13487665/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148801905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Donanemab for early Alzheimer disease.","authors":"","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2026.034","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"49 4","pages":"151-153"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13487668/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148802103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara Noonan, James Marangou, Bart J Currie, Vicki Wade, Anna P Ralph
{"title":"Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: updates for clinical practice.","authors":"Sara Noonan, James Marangou, Bart J Currie, Vicki Wade, Anna P Ralph","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.028","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rheumatic heart disease is the most common cause of acquired childhood cardiac disease globally and, in Australia, affects First Nations peoples at disproportionately high rates. Australian guidelines recommend that skin and throat infections, which can be due to Group A Streptococcus, should be managed with antibiotics in high-risk individuals to prevent rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. Regular long-acting intramuscular penicillin is recommended for secondary prevention of rheumatic fever. Injections are painful and should be administered by competent clinicians using strategies and techniques for minimising pain and distress. The <i>Australian Guideline for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease</i> (2025) includes recommendations for clinical care delivered within a cultural framework that puts the person and their family at the centre of care.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"49 4","pages":"131-137"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13487664/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148802130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Treatment of acute COVID-19 in the community.","authors":"Eliza Milliken","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2026.033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>COVID-19 infection in an otherwise healthy person is usually a mild to moderate self-limiting illness, but certain populations are at higher risk of severe disease (e.g. older age, severe immunocompromise, certain comorbidities). Adults with acute COVID-19 should be assessed for disease severity and underlying risk factors to guide appropriate management. Infection control, including case isolation, is important to reduce spread. Antiviral therapy is reserved for patients most likely to benefit, given its high cost, potential adverse effects and uncertain clinical benefit. Patients showing signs of severe or critical disease should be referred to hospital. Antiviral therapies are most effective when started within 5 days of symptom onset. Nirmatrelvir with ritonavir is the first-line antiviral for patients without contraindications, but it has extensive drug interactions. Molnupiravir is used when nirmatrelvir with ritonavir is unsuitable. Inhaled and oral glucocorticoids and immune therapies have no role in routine community treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. Vaccination remains the single most effective intervention for reducing the risk of severe disease and should be actively encouraged, particularly in unvaccinated or vaccine-hesitant individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"49 4","pages":"116-123"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13487670/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148802036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"High prevalence of syphilis in Australia: test, treat and trace.","authors":"Manoji Gunathilake, Danielle Martorana, Vindya Perera","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.027","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Syphilis has re-emerged as a significant public health issue in Australia, with rapidly rising case numbers of infectious syphilis and a resurgence of congenital syphilis. Syphilis may be asymptomatic or present with various clinical manifestations in anogenital, oral or other parts of the body. Untreated syphilis can lead to serious health complications and clinical vigilance is paramount for early diagnosis and treatment. Syphilis testing is recommended as part of sexual health check-ups and antenatal screening, and for people at increased risk of syphilis or from high-prevalence groups. As the incidence of syphilis is increasing in the general population, clinicians should maintain a low threshold for testing. Parenteral penicillin is the recommended treatment for all stages of syphilis. Syphilis is a notifiable condition and is reported by testing laboratories to local public health units. Contact tracing and treatment are essential to prevent re-infection and further transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"49 4","pages":"124-130"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13487662/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148802055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tihana Divnic-Resnik, Atieh Sadr, Elvis Trinh, Smitha Sukumar
{"title":"Antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures: an update.","authors":"Tihana Divnic-Resnik, Atieh Sadr, Elvis Trinh, Smitha Sukumar","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2026.032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Australian <i>Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental</i> and <i>Antibiotic</i> were updated in 2025 with revised indications for antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures and recommendations for prophylactic regimens. Most community-based patients undergoing minor oral surgeries do not require antibiotic prophylaxis, unless they are profoundly immunocompromised; in which case, antibiotic prophylaxis may be considered in consultation with the treating medical specialist or team. Antibiotics may also be considered following reinsertion of avulsed (knocked-out) teeth. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for hospital-based patients undergoing specific oral and maxillofacial surgeries. It is also recommended for patients with high-risk cardiac conditions undergoing invasive dental procedures to prevent infective endocarditis.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"49 4","pages":"145-149"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13487672/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148802019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Emergency contraception: an overview.","authors":"Danielle Mazza, Joanne Gross","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.017","DOIUrl":"10.18773/austprescr.2026.017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy when contraception has failed or was not used, or after a sexual assault. Methods of emergency contraception available in Australia include 2 kinds of oral pills (levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate) and the copper intrauterine device. Oral emergency contraception can be obtained from pharmacies without a prescription, while the copper intrauterine device must be inserted by a trained healthcare provider. For greatest effectiveness after unprotected sexual intercourse, oral levonorgestrel should be taken within 72 hours (3 days), ulipristal acetate should be taken within 120 hours (5 days) or the copper intrauterine device should be inserted within 120 hours.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":"49 3","pages":"88-92"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13268839/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148273895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}