Written for dermatologists by dermatologists. Indexed by the US National Library of Medicine.

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Update on Drugs and Drug News - Number 1 1998

Class	Name/Company	Approval Dates and Comments
Antipsoriatic	Cyclosporine solution & capsules Neoral® Novartis	Approved by the FDA June 19, 1997 for the treatment of severe recalcitrant psoriasis. Already approved in Canada and Europe. The previous formulation is being withdrawn.
Actinic keratosis	Diclofenac gel 3% Solarase® Hyal	British regulatory authorities have given conditional acceptance for the treatment of actinic keratosis. Hyal is presently awaiting approval for this indication in a number of other countries.
Artificial skin	Dermagraft® Smith & Nephew	Approved by the HPB in Canada August, 1997 as a human dermal replacement for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Laser system	Er,Cr:Y laser system Dermalase system® Biolase Technology	Approved by the FDA July, 1997. This laser system utilizes an air-water spray to cool the tissues during dermatologic and general surgical procedures.
Scars	Silicon based device SKAR CARE Life Medical Sciences	Approved by the FDA August, 1997 as an externally worn device for the management of hypertrophic & keloid scars.

Class	Name/Company	Clinical Trial Outcome
Male hair loss	Finasteride 1 mg Propecia® Merck	Results from an international Phase III, double-blind, placebo controlled trial found that finasteride stopped hair loss in 86% of the men treated and led to hair growth in half those treated. Loss of libido was reported in 1.8% of men.

Class	Name/Company	New Formulation
Anti-acne	Adapalene cream 0.1% Differin® Galderma Canada	This cream formulation was recently approved by the Canadian HPB for the topical treatment of acne. Gel and solution (both 0.1%) were approved by the FDA April, 1996. Adapalene is also approved in many other countries.

Class	Name/Company	Drug Warning
Antiseborrheic	Zinc pyrithione Skin-Cap® Cheminova	Some assays detect potent steroids (see Page 1). The FDA have issued a Stop & Detain order on all shipments and have been warning users, including psoriatics, of potential side effects.