UPDATE ON DRUGS

ClassName/CompanyApproval Dates and Comments

Antifungal
Ketoconazole 2% Gel

Xolegel™


Barrier Therapeutics

The US FDA approved this antifungal agent in July 2006 for the topical treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in immunocompetent adults and children =12 years of age. Xolegel™ is the first prescription gel formulation of ketoconazole approved in the US.

Antiviral
Famciclovir
Tablets
Famvir®
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
The US FDA approved this antiviral agent in July 2006 as a single-day treatment for immunocompetent patients with recurrent genital herpes, in the new approved dose of 1,000mg twice daily for one day. It was also approved as a single-dose treatment for recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent patients.

Sunscreen
Ecamsule 2% + Avobenzone 2%/ Octocrylene 10% Cream

Anthelios SX®


L’Oreal/ LaRoche-Posay

The US FDA approved this over-the-counter sunscreen in July 2006 for the prevention of sunburn and protection from the entire spectrum of UV rays including the type of UV rays that are linked to some cancers. This product has a sun protection factor rating of 15.

Drug News


Insect Bite Guide
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore MD have developed a new quick tool to sort out insect bites in children, which can often be misdiagnosed. This tool is called SCRATCH, an acronym for:

Symmetry – eruptions are usually symmetrical and appear on exposed parts of the body
Clusters – lesions caused by bedbugs or fleas appear as linear or triangular clusters
Rover not required – i.e. the presence of pets is not necessary because the bite might occur away from home
Age specific – most prevalent in children between 2–10 years of age
Target/ Time – target shaped lesions are typical of insect-bite hypersensitivity; time indicates the chronic or recurrent nature of eruptions, i.e., many may have delayed reactions)
Confusion – parents often express confusion and disbelief at the suggestion that there might be fleas or bedbugs in their homes
Household –unlike conditions that have similar symptoms (e.g., scabies or eczema), insect-bite rashes often appear in a single member of a family.
It is a guide to the symptoms and features that help pediatricians and others to recognize the source of the rash.
*Hernandez RG, Cohen BA. Pediatrics 118(1):e189-96 (2006 Jul).


Lice Treatment
A unique pediculicide rinse called Resultz™ (Atlanta Pharma) is now available in pharmacies across Canada in time for the new school year. This product contains 50% isopropyl myristate and 50% ST-cyclomethicone, and, in a Canadian-led study, was shown to be 96% effective in treating head lice.* It does not contain pesticides and resistance is unlikely to develop because of its unique mode of action, i.e., dissolving the wax that covers the exoskeleton of the lice causing dehydration and death.
*Kaul N, et al. In vivo efficacy and safety of an experimental pediculicide rinse. Presented at: 63rd Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, New Orleans (2005).
STL Volume 11 Number 8

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