Yearly STL Archives: 2009

Updates on Ustekinumab Stelara® Centocor Ortho Biotech, Romidepsin ISTODAX® Gloucester Pharmaceuticals and news from US FDA.

Eczema is a major public health problem affecting children worldwide. Few studies have directly assessed triggers for disease flares. This information is likely to be useful to families and may lead to the ability to reduce disease flares in the future.

Recurrent herpes labialis is a common condition associated with the formation of vesicles around the mouth, often preceded by prodromal symptoms including tingling and burning. The purpose of this article is to serve as a practical guide in the management of recurrent herpes labialis by summarizing current treatments and discussing potential new therapies.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a chronic, relapsing skin condition that can lead to xerosis, pruritus, and patches of dermatitis. Coping with the physical and emotional aspects of AD can significantly impact the quality of life. It is most common in childhood, as many patients seem to outgrow the condition by adulthood.

Head lice infestations (Pediculosis humanus capitis) are most prevalent during childhood in industrialized countries. It is estimated to occur in about 1-3% of children aged 6-12 years. Greater susceptibility is associated with girls, which is likely attributed to close contact play and the sharing of objects.

Update on Collagen-based dermal filler Evolence®, Injectable Poly-L-lactic acid Sculptra Aesthetic®, Ibritumomab tiuxetan Zevalin®, and news from US FDA on TNF blockers.

Young adult populations (18-25 years of age) throughout the world have latched onto the mainstream trend of body piercing. Best health care practices for these individuals involves the knowledge of proper procedural techniques, postsite care, common complications, and treatment modalities.

Hirsutism is a relatively common condition affecting about 5%-10% of women of childbearing age. Herein, we present an overview of hirsutism with emphasis on its etiology and therapeutic options.

Update on Benzyl Alcohol Lotion 5% Sciele Pharma, Red Light Technology Device + Methyl Aminolevulinate Cream Aktilite® CL 128 + Metvix®, and news Nexavar®.

Topical products commonly used to treat acne include retinoids and antimicrobials, due to their effects on different components of pathogenesis. Accordingly, a fixed combination of adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 2.5% was developed (Epiduo™, Galderma) and was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of acne.

Methyl aminolevulinate-hydrochloride cream (Metvix® [in Canada] and Metvixia® [in the US], Galderma) in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) provides an effective treatment option for actinic keratoses (AKs), superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC), and Bowen’s disease (BD).

The role and importance of moisturizer in managing and controlling the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. As atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition, successful management requires a multipronged approach that includes lifestyle modification, adaptations to skin care practices, and medical intervention.

Topical treatment is the mainstay for mild acne, and adjunctive to oral or hormonal therapy for moderate acne. This article explores recent formulary advances and offers clinical strategies that can encourage adherence and improve treatment outcomes.

Update on Golimumab (Simponi™) Centocor/Schering-Plough, Darunavir (PREZISTA™) Tibotec/Janssen-Ortho, Telavancin (Arbelic™) Theravance/Astellas, and news from US FDA.

Photoaging and skin damage that is caused by solar radiation is well known. IRA acts via the mitochondria and therefore protection from IR requires alternative strategies.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a chronic, relapsing form of skin inflammation that is attributable to multiple pathogenic, genetic, and environmental factors, as well as a dysfunctional epidermal barrier. Immune responses involved in AD culminate in dry skin, pruritus, and IgE mediated sensitization to food and environmental allergens.

Condylomata acuminata (genital or venereal warts) pose a significant health concern, especially amongst young adults. External genital warts (EGWs) are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), the same virus that causes the majority of cervical cancers.

Imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara™, Graceway Pharmaceuticals) is an immune response modifier used for the topical treatment of anogenital warts in non-HIV-infected patients. Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that imiquimod 5% cream is a safe and efficacious treatment.

Condylomata acuminata (genital or venereal warts) pose a significant health concern, especially amongst young adults. Recent therapeutic advances such as topical immunomodulatory agents and a prophylactic vaccines have significantly broadened the options for management.

Patients suffering from scalp psoriasis frequently seek medical care because of the persistent discomfort due to itching and social embarrassment. This article explores some of the challenges that patients fact, current options and new advances in the topical management and strategies that may improve treatment outcomes.

Update on Alitretinion (Toctino®), Pralatrexate, Benzyl Alcohol Lotion 5%, and Botulinum Toxin – Type A (Azzalure®) and news on Efalizumab (Raptiva®).

Current treatments for vitiligo are largely unsatisfactory. Topical corticosteroids and phototherapy (narrow-band UVB and psoralen+UVA) are the most prescribed, however, these therapies are often not effective and have important side-effect, especially when used for a long time.

Scalp psoriasis occurs in 50%-75% of patients with plaque psoriasis. It may be the only area of the body affected, or it may be associated with disease elsewhere, including psoriatic arthritis. Most cases are treated topically, usually with steroids and/or calcipotriol.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a chronic, relapsing skin condition that can lead to xerosis, pruritus, and patches of dermatitis. Coping with the physical and emotional aspects of AD can significantly impact the quality of life. It is most common in childhood, as many patients seem to outgrow the condition by adulthood.

Patients suffering from scalp psoriasis frequently seek medical care because of the persistent discomfort and social embarrassment caused by the visible flakes that are shed onto clothing. However, the presence of hair makes it challenging to apply medication to the scalp.

Update on Ustekinumab Stelara®, Photopheresis System THERAKOS™ CELLEX™, Calcitriol Vectical™ Ointment, Autologous Collagen Cellular Processing System Isolagen Therapy™.

Pityriasis rosea is a common skin disorder in children and young adults. It is a self-limiting disease with symptoms that are typically mild and tolerable, however, there are times when treatment is warranted. In this paper, we review the available treatments for this skin disease.

Hand eczema affects up to 10% of the population and encompasses a diverse range of morphological presentations and underlying pathophysiological processes. This article will review the new and existing treatments that are available for this common dermatologic problem.

Update on Alitretinoin (Toctino®), Denileukin Diftitox (Ontak™), Bimatoprost Ophthalmic 0.03% Solution (LATISSE®), Maraviroc (SELZENTRY®), Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% + Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% (Acanya® Gel), Etanercept (Enbrel®).

An overview and update of skin conditions and treatments introduced in 2008 including Methyl Aminolevulinate HCl Cream Metvixia™ + Aktilite®, Adapalene 0.1% Differin® Gel, Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2% + Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Acanya® Gel, Ceftobiprole Medocaril IV ZEFTERA® and other treatments

Many options exist for the treatment of rosacea, including topical and systemic therapies, laser and light-based therapies, and surgical procedures. The goals of therapy include reduction of papules, pustules, erythema, physical discomfort, and an improvement in quality of life.

Update on Ceftobiprole (Zeftera®) Johnson & Johnson/ Basilea Pharmaceuticals, IV Iclaprim Arpida Ltd., HPV Vaccine (Gardasil®) Merck & Co., Alitretinoin (Toctino®) Basilea Pharmaceuticals, and Atazanavir sulfate (REYATAZ®) Bristol-Myers Squibb.

In this article storage guidelines for common dermatology drugs are provided. We suspect that drug degradation is common due to improper storage and that improved patient instruction regarding storage will reduce degradation and alleviate some of the danger associated with improper storage and usage patterns.

Onychomycosis is one of the most common nail disorders. Despite recent therapeutic advances with the introduction of effective systemic agents and transungual drug delivery systems, the incidence of onychomycosis is increasing.