Treatment Guides
Topical Treatment for Psoriasis
Topical treatments are usually the first line therapies for psoriasis. Corticosteroids, calcipotriol/calcupotriene, tazarotene, tars, and anthralin are discussed.
Oral Treatment for Psoriasis
Oral treatments for treating psoriasis are discussed. This article focuses on methotrexate, acetretin, and cyclosporine.
Immunobiological Treatment in Psoriasis – An Overview
Many aspects of psoriasis remain a mystery - but one that is slowly becoming revealed. Various immunobiological treatments for psoriasis are covered in this article.
Biologic Drugs and How They Work
Biologics represent a new type of treatment that shows promise. This article provides a quick overview of how they work, and what makes these classes of drugs promising.
Efalizumab (RAPTIVA®)
This article provides an overview for the drug, Efalizumab (RAPTIVA®) for the treatment of psoriasis. Indications, mechanism, contraindications, side-effects are considered.
Etanercept (Enbrel)
Etanercept is a TNF-alpha receptor fused onto human IgG and inhibits TNF-alpha activity. Dosage, side-effects, and drug interactions are discussed.
Infliximab (Remicade)
Infliximab is monoclonal antibody targeted against human tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Dosage, side-effects, and drug interactions are discussed.
Psoriasis Treatment: Light Therapy
Light therapy can be an effective treatment modality when treating a large skin surface where topical medication would be inconvenient. This article covers UVB, PUVA, Re-PUVA, and laser treatments.
Combination Therapy
Combination therapy is both commonly used and effective in treating psoriasis. Common combinations like acitretin+light therapy, methotrexate+UVB, and tar+anthralin are discussed.
Treatment suggestions for different types of Psoriasis
Psoriasis types and subtypes can influence preferred treatment modality. This article discusses the symptoms specific to the psoriasis subtype, and considerations for selecting treatment.
Alefacept (Amevive) IM administration
In October 2004 Amevive® (alefacept) became the first biologic approved for psoriasis in Canada. It is used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis. This article discusses clinical trials, side effects, and drug interactions.
Fungal Treatment: Understand The Objective and Limitations of Therapy
A top down overview of the available treatments for fungal infections, as well as the limitations of these therapies.
Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment – The Objective of Therapy
This article discusses the main objectives of psoriatic arthritis treatment and management. Expectations, as well as specific symptoms like joint stiffness are discussed.
Methotrexate
Methotrexate, originally an anti-cancer drug, has been used to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis effectively. This article discusses methotrexate, including side-effects drug interactions, and tests, as well as efficacy in the context of treating psoriatic arthritis.
Sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine is the only drug that was developed specifically for arthritis and combines a sulfa drug with acetylsalicylic acid. This article discusses the use of sulfasalazine for treating psoriatic arthritis.
Treatments for Skin, Nail and Hair Infections
Fungal infections can affect the hair and nails as well as the skin. This article reviews the various conditions that can arise from fungal infections, and their treatments.
Leflunomide
Leflunomide was initially developed for use in the treatment of cancer and has been used successfully in rheumatoid arthritis. This article discusses the use of leflunomide for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
Cyclosporin A
Cyclosporin A, originally used as a drug used to fight organ rejection - is used to treat psoriatic arthritis. Its mechanism of action, mode of administration, and side effects are discussed.
Azathioprine
Azathioprine is used as an immunosuppressive agent used to control transplant rejection. It is also being used to treat psoriatic arthritis. This article reviews the case for its use for this purpose.
Clotrimazole
Clotrimazole is available in a variety of dosage forms, including oral lozenges and vaginal formulations.The mechanism of action, as well as side effects, and their indications are discussed.
Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment – Immunobiologics
This article provides an important overview of the mechanisms and objectives in using immunobiologics to control psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic Arthritis – Other Medical Treatments
This article discusses other treatments for psoriatic arthritis that are often used in complement to other treatment modalities like methotrexate. Surgery, physiotherapy, gold, and anti-malarial treatments are all discussed.
Ciclopirox
Ciclopirox olamine is a hydroxypyridone antifungal that is used to treat fungal infections. Indication, brand names, therapeutic regimen, and safety information are discussed.
Itraconazole
Itraconazole is an antifungal azole, and its use, indication, potential contraindications, and adverse events and drug interactions are discussed in this article.
Fluconazole
Fluconazole is an antifungal azole, and its use, indication, potential contraindications, and adverse events and drug interactions are discussed in this article.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole, its use, indication, potential contraindications, and adverse events and drug interactions are discussed in this article.
Terbinafine Hydrochloride
Terbinafide hydrochloride, its use, indication, potential contraindications, and adverse events and drug interactions are discussed in this article.
Objectives of Eczema Therapy
Eczema is a chronic condition, and a very common one so long-term symptom controls are critical. This article focuses on the major objectives of eczema treatment.
Topical Corticosteroids
Topical corticosteroids have been a mainstay of eczema therapy. This article is a comprehensive list of various indications, contraindications, combination therapies, and differing strengths of steroids.
Other Topical Treatments For Eczema
Topical treatments remain the mainstay of eczema treatment. This article delves into the topical treatments other than topical corticosteroids: Tar, antibiotics, and anti-itch creams.
Topical Prescription Treatment
A treatment chart for eczema. Anti-inflammatory drugs, moisturizers, tar preparations, mild cleansers, antibiotics, and anti-itch creams.
Topical Immunomodulators
This article discusses the role of topical immunomodulators in the treatment of eczema. Pimecrolimus 1% Cream (Elidel®) and Tacrolimus (Protopic®) are discussed at length.
Topical Corticosteroid Dosing, Mechanisms of Action, & Prescribing
Topical corticosteroid dosing, mechanism of action and prescribing advice is provided in this article. General rules, prescribing suggestions, precautions, and side-effects are discussed.
Eczema Oral Treatment
Oral treatments for treating eczema: Antibiotics, antihistamines, corticosteroids and cyclosporine A are the focus of this article.
Eczema Light Therapy
Phototherapy, Narrow Band UVB, and PUVA are an important branch of treatment for some people with eczema. This article discusses some of the options available in terms of light therapy.
Eczema Treatment Selection Chart
Infection, inflammation, itch, and dry skin are the core symptoms of eczema. Various treatments targeting these symptoms both on the topical and oral side are discussed in this article.
Treatment Triangle
This article discusses the concept of the treatment triangle: Evidence based treatment, treatment based on evidence and clinical experience, and patient preference, and how these concepts intersect.
Treatment of Eczema Complications
Eczema creates several complications such as bacterial and viral infections due to exposed skin - from cracking. This article delves into these complications that can arise out of eczema and how to treat them.
FDA Issues Public Warning Re Elidel and Protopic
A summary on the FDA warning on Elidel and Protopic. Commentary from organizations like the American Academy of Dermatology, Canadian Dermatology Association, National Eczema Association for Science and Education and Inflammatory Skin Disease Institute are also linked here.
Cold Sores Treatment
Herpes labialis or cold sores are a common and recurring concern for many patients. This article focuses on methods to help patients manage the discomfort and pain associated with cold sores, and to reduce the length of the outbreak.
