Top 200 Drugs Section 3: Dermatological Agents

What is the largest organ of the human body

skin

What are the functions of the skin

protection, sensation, maintaining temp, and vitamin synthesis

What is dermatitis

inflammation of the skin, usually involving red and itchy areas of skin

Types of dermatitis

contact, atopic, and seborrheic dermatitis

Contact dermatitis

from direct contact w a skin irritant

Atopic dermatitis

“eczema”; associated w hay fever and pollen allergy, mold etc. rash comes and goes over lifetime

Seborrheic dermatitis

“dandruff”; involves itchy, flaking areas of the scalp.

What treats dermatitis

topical steroids

What vehicles of application are topical steroids given

most potent

ointments

creams

lotions

solutions

gels

sprays

least potent

How are steroids classified

by the potency

Group I

most potent

Group VII

least potent (OTP hydrocortisone)

Side effects for topical steroids

limited to local area of application and include irritation, thinning of skin, skin color changes, and dryness

Cortisone/Anusol/Westcort

hydrocortisone

Aristocort/Kenalog

triamcinolone

Lotrisone

betamethasone + clotrimazole

Skin can become infected by

bacteria, viruses, or yeasts and fungi

Infections can be in the ____ layers of the skin or..

top, go deeper into the tissue

What allows for infections to heal more quickly and prevent spread to other areas of the body

antibiotic preparations

Most common antibiotic preparations for skin infections

mupirocin (RX), polymyxin/neomycin/bacitracin combination (OTC)

What is limited to topical use and why

neomycin, it is extremely nephrotoxic

What kind of skin infections are often also treated with systemic antibiotics

extensive skin infections like cellulitis or MRSA

Treatment for rosacea

metronidazole topical as well as other oral (systemic) antibiotics

When skin is damaged from a burn

infection can RAPIDLY set in

What is used to prevent infection in burn tissue

silver sulfadiazene (SSD) - could also inc healing times

Bactroban

mupirocin

Metrogel

metronidazole

Neosporin

neomycin/polymyxinB/bacitracin

Silvadene

silver sulfadiazene

2 types of acne

non inflammatory and inflammatory

Non inflammatory acne

whiteheads and blackheads

Inflammatory acne

generally large red areas of congested skin

How does acne result

when pores become blocked and oil accumulates

How is severe acne treated

often with systemic antibiotics like doxycycline or minocycline, or w topical antibiotics

What is usual with the treatment of acne

pimples and redness can be brought to the face as it heals so the condition can worsen before it resolves

When is acne treatment usually applied

QHS - to clean and DRY skin

What is scabies

topical skin infection caused by a mite (burrows into skin and causes an allergic reaction)

Treatment for scabies

permethrin 5% (Elimite) to treat scabies in adults and infants - must be applied head to toe before bed and left for 8-14 hrs and washed off in morning