Pharmacology of Dermatologic, Ophthalmic, and Otic Disorders

Treatment for limited (mild) Psoriasis

Topical corticosteroids are the first-line treatment (i.e., hydrocortisone, triamcinolone).

Topical corticosteroid use

Provide temporary relief of pruritus associated with minor skin irritation and inflammation.

Decrease inflammation, redness, and itching. Prolonged or excessive use can cause skin thinning.

Topical corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids suffix

“-sone” or “-lone”

Hydrocortisone drug class?

Corticosteroid

Betamethasone drug class?

Corticosteroid

Triamcinolone drug class?

Corticosteroid

Treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis

May require systemic therapy. Traditional systemic medications include: Methotrexate, Cyclosporine, and Acitretin.

Immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory prescription medication used to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Methotrexate

Immunosuppressant that suppresses T-cell activity, used to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Cyclosporine

This retinoid used to treat severe Psoriasis is highly teratogenic, and pregnancy must be avoided during treatment and for 3 years after discontinuing.

Acitretin

Treatment for rosacea

Topical therapy: Metronidazole reduces inflammation, Azelaic acid reduces inflammation and papules/pustules. — Systemic therapy: Doxycycline used for moderate-to-severe rosacea inflammation.

Treatment for Erythema multiforme

Usually self-limiting; Antihistamines (i.e., cetirizine) for pruritus, Corticosteroids for inflammation. If associated with HSV, antiviral therapy (i.e., acyclovir) may be used.

Treatment for HSV

Antivirals (i.e., acyclovir, valacyclovir) reduce disease severity and duration but do not eradicate the latent virus.

Antiviral drug class suffix

“-vir”

Azole antifungals drug class suffix

“-azole”

Clotrimazole drug class

Azole antifungal

Miconazole drug class

Azole antifungal

Topical antifungal drugs use

Used to treat superficial fungal infections (i.e., tinea pedis, cutaneous candidiasis).

Acyclovir drug class

Antiviral

Penciclovir drug class

Antiviral

What topical drug would you use for herpes labialis (cold sores)?

Acyclovir or penciclovir (antivirals)

Topical antibacterials suffix

Commonly “-cin” or “-xin”, but not consistent

Bacitracin drug class

Topical antibacterial

Neomycin drug class

Topical antibacterial

Neosporin drug class

Topical antibacterial

Polymyxin drug class

Topical antibacterial

Silver sulfadiazine drug class

Burn care drug

Topical Antihistamines suffix

“-amine”

Diphenhydramine drug class

Topical antihistamine

Topical antihistamines mechanism of action

Blocks histamine receptors, thus providing itching and swelling relief.