FDA: Bebtelovimab not expected to neutralize certain omicron subvariants; naloxone may not reverse certain illicit opioids

The Food and Drug Administration recently updated its health care provider fact sheet on bebtelovimab to note that the monoclonal antibody is not expected to neutralize omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. While bebtelovimab remains authorized in all U.S. regions until further notice, prescribers should monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s regional variant frequency data and refer to the provider fact sheet for details regarding resistance against SARS-CoV-2 variants in their area, FDA said. 

In other news, FDA yesterday warned health care professionals that naloxone may not be able to reverse the effects of xylazine in fentanyl, heroin and other illicit drug overdoses. FDA is aware of increasing reports of serious side effects from individuals exposed to fentanyl, heroin and other illicit drugs contaminated with xylazine, a sedative and pain reliever that FDA has approved for use in animals.