Dermatology

ROSASOL Cream is a novel topical formulation of 1% metronidazole in a vehicle containing sunscreens (SPF 15). This product has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of inflammatory lesions, erythema, and telangiectasiae associated with rosacea.

Update on: Arsenic Trioxide Trisenox Transdermal 17-Beta Estradiol Estradot Methotrexate Trexall

Toxicodendron dermatitis results from a reaction to an oil soluble oleoresin that is present in many parts of the poison ivy and poison oak plants. Prophylactic measures and treatments are discussed.

Eflornithine HCl 13.9% cream (Vaniqa) is the first topical prescription treatment to be approved for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women. It irreversibly inhibits ornithine decarboxylase, an enzyme that catalyzes the ratelimiting step for follicular polyamine synthesis, which is necessary for hair growth.

Update on: Caspofungin Acetate Cancidas 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution Mequinol 2%, Tretinoin 0.1% Solagé Topical Solution Biologically Active Dressing Composite Cultured Skin (CCS) Xtrac Excimer Laser System

Imiquimod (S-26308, R-837) (1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4 amine), an immune response modifier, was approved as a 5% cream (Aldara, 3M Pharmaceuticals) by the US FDA in February 1997, for the treatment of genital and perianal warts.

Update on: Loratidine Claritin Varicella Zoster Immune Globulin VariZIG Levocetirizine Xyzal/Xusal Agalsidase Beta Fabrazyme ASM 981 Cream 1%

An overview and update of skin treatments introduced in 2000: Quick overview of drug name, indications and regulatory status

Oral contraceptives (OCs) can reduce acne by lowering the production of adrenal and ovarian androgens, by inhibiting 5- alpha-reductase, which in turn, reduces the levels of dihydrotestosterone, and by stimulating sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), thus reducing the levels of free testosterone.

With growing public reluctance to use systemic medications we can expect topical treatments for psoriasis and other skin conditions to become increasingly important in the future. These drugs are useful not only to control this disease, but also to limit the irritation caused by medications such as tazarotene and anthralin.

Update on: Lamivudine, Zidovudine and Abacavir Trizivir Loratidine Claritin Amlexanox 5% paste AptheraBotulinum toxin type B Myobloc

Treatment of metastatic melanoma using traditional chemotherapy regimens has been disappointing. However, recent work with agents that modify the host’s immune system (e.g., interleukins) have provided limited but encouraging results. Interleukins are a group of molecules involved in immune cell signaling.

Currently, tacrolimus is emerging as a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of a number of dermatological diseases that have in common an aberrant immunologic response. This topical ointment is the first of its kind to be approved by the US FDA (December 2000), 0.1% for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults, and 0.03% for children older than 2 years of age and for adults who are undergoing long-term intermittent therapy.

Updates on: 5-fluorouracil 5-FU Microsponge Interferon-Alpha Veldona Hydroxyurea Amprenavir Agenerase Diclofenac Sodium Solaraze

This article will focus on cosmetic products that are designed to simulate tanning of the skin by coloring or staining the skin without sun exposure. The cosmetics may or may not contain a sunscreening agent, but the color produced is not protective. Certainly, a cosmetic tan is safe alternative for patients who use a tanning booth or worship the sun.

If methotrexate were introduced as a new drug today, it would be hailed as a major advance in the management of psoriasis, as well as for a number of other conditions. When patients are properly screened and educated about the correct use of this drug, and appropriately monitored during treatment, MTX is often very safe, simple to use, inexpensive, and well-tolerated.

Updates on: Estradiol Transdermal System Vivelle Levofloxacin Tablets/Injection Levaquin Tablets/Injection Tretinoin Cream Renova 0.02% Tretinoin Cream Renova 0.05% Butoconazole Nitrate Gynazole 2% vaginal cream Docosanol 10% Cream Tacrolimus Ointment

There is no drug that has provided as much therapeutic benefit for 12 million acne patients as this retinoid has done in the past 18 years following its introduction. However, it is a retinoid and, therefore, a teratogen.

Treatment objectives and pharmacoeconomic considerations are important when developing guidelines that are effective and rational. Canadian Acne Treatment Guidelines were last published in 1995. New guidelines were recently developed to incorporate therapeutic advances and data from more recent studies.

Update on: Clobetasol propionate Olux Foam 0.05% Alitretinoin 0.1% gel Panretin Graftskin Apligraf Bexarotene 1% gel Targretin 10% Docosanol Cream Bleomycin ANDA

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem disorder with vascular instability as a clinical hallmark. Treatment currently consists of recognition and management of end-organ damage.

Ciclopirox nail lacquer 8% (Penlac, Aventis Pharma) was approved by the US FDA in December 1999, as a component of a comprehensive management program, for use in immunocompetent patients who have mild to moderate onychomycosis of the fingers and toes without lunula involvement due to Trichophyton rubrum.

Update on: Paclitaxel Paxene Testosterone Gel AndroGel 1% “Intelligent” Dressing Acemannan Hydrogel Cyclophosphamide 25mg and 50mg tablets Ketoconazole 2% Cream Halofuginone OTC Vaginal Preparations Clotrimazole 2% Three Day Vaginal Cream Cyclosporine Gengraf Apligraf Graftskin

Behçet’s disease is an inflammatory disorder of unknown cause. There is often involvement of the gastrointestinal system, the central nervous system and large vessels, which can be life-threatening. As well, ocular lesions can cause blindness. Mucocutaneous symptoms are self-limiting but more frequent.

Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder caused by the disappearance of pigment cells from the epidermis, and results in well defined white patches that are often symmetrically distributed. The lack of melanin pigment makes the lesional skin more sensitive to sunburn.

Update on: Bexarotene Capsules Targretin Temozolomide Temodal Mequinol 2%/Tretinoin 0.01% Solage Linezolid Zyvox Amphotericin B Liposome for Injection Ambisome Terbinafine HCl 1% Solution Lamisil

Topical immunotherapy with diphencyprone (DPCP) for the treatment of severe alopecia areata has been used since 1983 and is felt to be the treatment of choice by many dermatologists. Although there have been no major side effects reported since its initial use, there remain some unknowns regarding its safety.

There are no specific antipruritic drugs on the market, but there are a high number of case reports and experimental investigations describing medications with antipruritic potency. It is therefore the aim of this article to review the major systemic antipruritic drugs and give a short overview on the different types of pruritus.

Update on: Estradiol Vaginal Ring Estring Allegra Piperonyl Butoxide/ Pyrethrins Rid Mousse Temoporfin Foscan

Herbs have been used in clinical medicine for thousands of years. However, it is only in recent times that we have been able to employ scientific methods to prove the efficacy of many of these herbs and to give us a better understanding of their mechanisms of action.

In the US prescription drug costs are rising faster than any other component of health care expenditures, and show no signs of slowing. Factors driving the rise in prescription drug costs include the introduction of new drugs, and consumer demand. (*Title Incorrect in STL Original--check--change link name)

Update on: Tissue Engineered Collagen Matrix Oasis Wound Dressing Bexarotene Targretin Gel 1% Eflornithine Hydrochloride Vaniqa Cream 15% Biologically Active Dressing Composite Cultured Skin (CCS) Famciclovir Famvir Moxifloxacin Avelox/Avalox Finasteride 1mg Tablets Propecia

Drug Treatments For Skin Disease Introduced in 1999

Conventional treatment options for hypertrichosis and hirsutism are tedious and time consuming. Laser hair removal offers an efficient way to permanently reduce excessive hair growth.

Update on: Aminolevulinic Acid Levulan Photodynamic Therapy G-3139 Genta Inc Moxifloxacin HCl Avelox Ciclopirox Loprox 8% Topical Solution 5-fluorouracil Solex Allovectin-7 Vical Inc

Localized scleroderma, or morphea, is a chronic disease that causes a thickening and induration of the skin. For plaque type morphea, the treatments include super-potent corticosteroids and calcipotriol. For the more generalized forms, as well as the linear forms, UVA is currently the best therapeutic modality.

Update on: Pyrethrins/Piperonyl butoxide Rid aerosol foam mousse Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% Derma-Smoothe/FS Quinupristin/ Dalfopristin Synercid IV Rid Lice Egg Loosener Gel Tacrolimus Protopic Ointment Docosanol

Topical acne treatment can positively benefit patients with acne. This review summarizes clinical and prescribing information on currently available topical agents. The efficacy of the medications included in this report is supported by properly designed randomized clinical trials.

Scabies and lice have afflicted man since ancient times. Permethrin is generally the treatment of choice for head lice and scabies, because of its residual effect. Toxicity and absorption are minimal. Ivermectin should be reserved for cases where permethrin fails.

Update on: Alendronate Fosamax Alitretinoin Panretin Gel 0.1% Malathion Ovide 0.5% Lotion Abacavir Sulfate Ziagen Interferon alpha-2a Roferon-A Lidocaine Patch 5% Lidoderm Pexiganan acetate Locilex cream 1% Aminolevulinic acid Levulan Photodynamic Therapy Ketoconazol Teva Antiviral Agents Antirejection Therapy