What's inside the Top 15 Drugs by Revenue - Q3 2024?

Merck has a strong lead for the 3rd Quarter 2024 with Keytruda according to the list compiled by Mavenbio lately. Do you ever ask yourself what else is inside a drug to make it work? We do and put together the dosage form and excipient compositions of the 15 drug products listed below.

Please note that the composition may vary in different markets and the listing is as indication only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official prescribing information or consult a healthcare professional.

For most of the excipients listed you will find further information on https://www.pharmaexcipients.com/shop/ and on the website in general. For some products we have interested direct links to the information.

Keytruda (Merck)

• Dosage Form: Solution for infusion (25 mg/mL).
• Active Ingredient: Pembrolizumab.
• Excipients: L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, sucrose, polysorbate 80, water for injections.
• Source: FDA Prescribing Information, EMA SmPC.

Ozempic (Novo Nordisk)

• Dosage Form: Solution for subcutaneous injection (prefilled pen).
• Active Ingredient: Semaglutide.
• Excipients: Disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, water for injections.
• Source: FDA Prescribing Information, Novo Nordisk Product Page.

Dupixent (Sanofi/Regeneron)

• Dosage Form: Solution for subcutaneous injection (prefilled syringe or pen).
• Active Ingredient: Dupilumab.
• Excipients: L-arginine hydrochloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium acetate trihydrate, sucrose, water for injections.
• Source: FDA Prescribing Information, Sanofi Product Page.

Biktarvy (Gilead)

• Dosage Form: Film-coated tablets.
• Active Ingredients: Bictegravir, emtricitabine, tenofovir alafenamide.
• Excipients: Croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red.
• Source: FDA Prescribing Information, Gilead Product Page.

Skyrizi (AbbVie)

• Dosage Form: Solution for injection (prefilled syringe or pen).
• Active Ingredient: Risankizumab.
• Excipients: Sucrose, polysorbate 20, L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, water for injections.
• Source: FDA Prescribing Information, AbbVie Product Page.

Mounjaro (Lilly)

• Dosage Form: Solution for subcutaneous injection (prefilled pen).
• Active Ingredient: Tirzepatide.
• Excipients: Sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, water for injections.
• Source: FDA Prescribing Information, Lilly Product Page.

Darzalex (Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine)

• Dosage Form: Solution for infusion.
• Active Ingredient: Daratumumab.
• Excipients: Glacial acetic acid, mannitol, polysorbate 20, sodium acetate trihydrate, water for injections.
• Source: EMA SmPC, Janssen Product Page.

Eliquis (Bristol Myers Squibb)

• Dosage Form: Film-coated tablets.
• Active Ingredient: Apixaban.
• Excipients: Lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol, iron oxide red (for 5 mg tablets).
• Source: FDA Prescribing Information, BMS Product Page.

Paxlovid (Pfizer)

• Dosage Form: Film-coated tablets.
• Active Ingredients: Nirmatrelvir, ritonavir.
• Excipients: Colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium stearyl fumarate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow.
• Source: FDA Prescribing Information, Pfizer Product Page.

Stelara (Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine)

• Dosage Form: Solution for subcutaneous injection.
• Active Ingredient: Ustekinumab.
• Excipients: L-histidine, L-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate, polysorbate 80, sucrose, water for injections.

Trikafta/Kaftrio (Vertex)

• Dosage Form: Film-coated tablets.
• Active Ingredients: Elexacaftor, tezacaftor, ivacaftor.
• Excipients: Microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose acetate succinate, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, iron oxide yellow.

Wegovy (Novo Nordisk)

• Dosage Form: Solution for subcutaneous injection (prefilled pen).
• Active Ingredient: Semaglutide.
• Excipients: Disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, water for injections.

Eylea HD/Eylea (Regeneron)

• Dosage Form: Solution for intravitreal injection.
• Active Ingredient: Aflibercept.
• Excipients: Polysorbate 20, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, sodium chloride, sucrose, water for injections.

Opdivo (Bristol Myers Squibb)

• Dosage Form: Solution for infusion.
• Active Ingredient: Nivolumab.
• Excipients: Sodium citrate dihydrate, sodium chloride, mannitol, pentetic acid, polysorbate 80, water for injections.

Gardasil (Merck)

• Dosage Form: Suspension for intramuscular injection.
• Active Ingredients: Recombinant HPV proteins (types 6, 11, 16, 18).
• Excipients: Amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate.