Jul
16
Adapalene
July 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Generic Name
Adapalene (uh-DAP-uh-lene)
Brand Name Differin
Type of Drug Anti-acne.
Prescribed For Acne.
General Information
Adapalene is similar to a retinoid. Retinoids are compounds related to vitamin A and are used in acne treatment. When adapalene is applied to an acne lesion, it modifies several of the processes involved in skin cell function. It reduces inflammation in the acne lesion and slows the formation of the material that fills the lesion. Very little adapalene is absorbed through the skin.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not use adapalene if you are allergic or sensitive to any of its ingredients. If you are sunburned, wait until your sunburn clears before applying adapalene to your skin. Avoid sun or sunlamp exposure while using adapalene. If you must be in the sun, be sure to apply sunscreen or wear protective clothing over areas where you have applied adapalene. Extreme wind or cold can also be irritating to skin where adapalene has been applied.
Adapalene can irritate the skin if used in combination with products such as medicated or abrasive soaps or cleansers, astringents, or soaps and cosmetics with a strong drying effect. Avoid products containing sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid.
Adapalene can be highly irritating if it gets into your eyes or if it is applied to your lips, the angles of your nose, mucous membranes, cuts, abrasions, or sunburned or damaged skin. Avoid using depilatories or waxing while using adapalene.
Possible Side Effects
V Most common: redness, irritation, dryness, scaling, itching, and burning are common after applying adapalene to your skin. These effects usually occur during the first 24 weeks of adapalene use and subside as treatment continues. Symptoms may be severe enough to cause you to stop using adapalene; call your doctor if this happens to you.
V Rare: skin irritation, stinging sunburn, and worsening acne. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect not listed above.
Drug Interactions
None known.
Usual Dose
Adult and Child (age 12 and over): Wash affected areas with a mild or soapless cleanser and apply a thin layer of adapalene at bedtime.
Child (under age 12): not recommended.
Overdosage
Chronic ingestion of adapalene can cause liver toxicity and other side effects associated with swallowing large amounts of vitamin A. Swallowing adapalene gel is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, who should not take more vitamin A than is contained in their prenatal vitamins. Infants who swallow adapalene should be taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment.
Special Information
Stop using adapalene and call your doctor if you develop a severe skin reaction or any sign of drug allergy or reaction (symptoms include rash, hives, itching, changes in complexion, and breathing difficulties or irregularities).
Adapalene may exacerbate your acne at first, but you should see improvement within 2 weeks.
If you must be in the sun, be sure to apply sunscreen or wear protective clothing over areas to which you have applied adapalene.
Using more than a thin film of adapalene does not produce better results and may be more irritating to the skin.
If you forget to apply a dose of adapalene, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next application of adapalene, skip the dose you forgot and continue with your regular schedule.
Special Populations
PregnancylBreast-feeding., Animal studies of adapalene have shown no effects on the fetus. Since the effect of adapalene on pregnant women is not known, the drug should be used only when the possible benefits outweigh the risks.
It is not known if adapalene passes into breast milk. Nursing mothers should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors may use this drug without special precautions.
Jul
2
Acne: Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy
July 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy nxkcirqv7h
The latest thing in acne treatment is the Dusa Blue Light. The FDA initially approved this therapy for treating precancerous skin lesions called actinic keratoses. The approach utilizes a special photosensitizing chemical, aminolevulinic acid (Levu-
*** Dusa Blue Light
For people with precancerous skin lesions or severe acne, the Blue Light may be a valuable tool. The skin may took worse for a few days, but within a week or two the acne should clear up significantly. Results may last several months.
This photodynamic therapy requires a two-step process: First a photosensitizing chemical.(Levulan Kerastick) is applied to the skin and then removed. Then the skin is exposed to the special light.
Side effects: Crusting, stinging, and redness
Downside: Cannot be used if you have active cold sores (herpes simplex) or warts, if you’ve recently had chemotherapy, or if you are pregnant. People who have used isotretinoin within the last year may not be able to undergo Blue Light therapy. Stay out of the sun and avoid fluorescent light exposure for a couple of days after treatment.
Cost: Varies according to the practitioner. Some plastic surgeons charge $500 to $1,000 for a series of treatments.
Ian Kerastick), that is applied to the skin for 30 to 40 minutes. It is then rinsed off and the patient sits in front of the Dusa Blue Light for 8 to 12 minutes. This special fluorescent tube emits a narrow band of blue light (417-nanometer wavelength). It is not a laser. It looks like an ordinary fluorescent light.
This photodynamic therapy reverses precancerous damage to the skin and also seems to undo some of the effects of long-term sun exposure. In addition, this treatment appears to change the hair follicle and make the environment inhospitable for acne-causing bacteria. Dermatologists who adopted the Blue Light early on seem quite enthusiastic about its use for hard-to-treat acne. There is also a hint that it may help “rejuvenate” skin by reducing wrinkles and improving skin texture.
Jul
2
Isotretinoin in Acne Treatment
July 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Isotretinoin
Dermatologists have one last big gun, a powerful medicine to use in desperate cases when nothing else has worked. Isotretinoin has stirred a lot of emotions—from excitement to fear—because it is so effective but also has some extremely serious side effects. This drug is approved for severe cystic acne, and it really should be reserved for acne that is not responding to other treatments.
From the time of its introduction, the maker of Accutane strove to get across the point that this drug can cause birth defects. Women who take this medication must. not get pregnant while they are on the drug or for several months after stopping it. (The compound stays in the body for a while.) Nonetheless, the manufacturer’s warnings have not been enough. Every year some women on isotretinoin do conceive, despite all the precautions. As a result, the FDA and the manufacturer have limited the access to this medicine. To prescribe it, a dermatologist must have enrolled in the iPLEDGE program, which educates physicians about the drug. Patients are also required to enroll in the iPLEDGE program and view the educational DVD before taking the first dose. The program uses telephone- and computer-based tracking to verify that female patients are get-** Isotretinoin (Accutane, Amnesteem, Cla r a v i s, S o t r e t.
Isotretinoin is chemically related to vitamin A, so it controls cell division. Four to 5 months of treatment usually results in significant clearing of acne, sometimes lasting years.
Common side effects: Dry lips and mouth; dry, crusty skin; upset stomach; hair loss; nosebleed; sun sensitivity; elevated cholesterol; and reduced night vision
Serious side effects: Birth defects; depression, potentially leading to suicidal thoughts or behaviors; inflammation of the pancreas; pressure on the brain (pseudotumor cerebri) causing severe headache
Downside: Despite efforts to keep this drug away from pregnant women, each year some babies are exposed in utero and born with birth defects. Women must use two different and effective means of contraception throughout the time they are taking Isotretinoin.
Cost: Varies widely from about $100 to $400 for 1 month of treatment
ting regular pregnancy tests to ensure that they do not take this medication during pregnancy. Patients who do not enroll in the program cannot get their prescriptions filled. More information is available online at www.ipledgeprogram.com.
Q. I have been on Accutane to treat bad acne for almost a month. I have taken 26 tablets, but stopped taking it when I thought I might be pregnant.
I found out yesterday that I am indeed pregnant, and I am scared. I want to have this baby, but after reading about the drug causing birth defects, I am not sure. What should I do?
A. We were shocked to learn that you have become pregnant while taking Accutane. This acne medicine can cause very serious birth defects in a fetus.
That is why the manufacturer recommends every woman have a pregnancy test before she starts on this drug and use effective contraception throughout therapy. Every time a pill is removed from its packaging, a symbol reminds the patient not to take this drug during pregnancy.
Please discuss this serious matter with your physician and your partner. The drug company can provide further information about your odds of having a baby with severe health problems.
Jul
2
Acne: Prescription Lotions and Gels
July 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Prescription Lotions and Gels for Acne Treatment
If treatment with benzoyl peroxide doesn’t get your pimples under control within a couple of months, check with a physician. Dermatologists often prescribe topical antibiotic gels or lotions in addition to or instead of benzoyl peroxide. Erythromycin and clindamycin are old standbys. Because they have been so widely used however, bacteria have begun to develop resistance to them. As a result, dermatologists have been restricting their use and instead turning to other approaches.
One other medication that is being prescribed is azelaic acid (Azelex, Finevin). Like benzoyl peroxide, this topical treatment seems to keep pores from clogging and to discour-age the multiplication and spread of bacteria. It too may result in burning, stinging, redness, or dryness of the skin. In rare instances, dark skin exposed to azelaic acid may develop lighter patches. If you have a cold sore or fever blister that gets worse while you are using an azelaic acid product, notify the prescribing physician immediately.
Tretinoin or a similar compound in the vitamin A family can be very effective in treating acne and reducing the inflammation associated with severe acne. Using topical vitamin A–like compounds (retinoids) early in the course of acne lessens the likelihood of scarring, a complication of the condition. Some doctors prescribe tretinoin together with benzoyl peroxide or with an oral antibiotic such as doxycycline to clear the skin faster. Because it works on the deeper cellular layers of the skin and speeds up cell turnover, it can also
**** Clindamycin Gel (Cleocin T, Clinda-Derm, Evoclin Topical Foam)
Clindamycin is an antibiotic that can be applied to the skin to fight acne-causing bacteria. It may take 2 months to see significant improvement, but generally this treatment is effective. Other topical antibiotics such as erythromycin gel are also effective.
Some prescription products combine an antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide for greater effectiveness. These include BenzaClin and Duac Gel (clindamycin plus benzoyl peroxide) and Benzamycin (erythromycin plus benzoyl peroxide). These are effective but expensive because no generic equivalents are available.
Side effects: Itching, burning, dryness, and peeling. A rare but very serious and dangerous side effect of clindamycin that is extremely unlikely to occur but still possible with the topical form is pseudomembranous colitis. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop persistent or bloody diarrhea.
Downside: Skin bacteria (P. aches) are beginning to develop resistance to topical clindamycin.
Cost: Approximately $50 for a 60-gram tube Tretinoin Gel (Retin-A)
Retin-A speeds up cell turnover and normalizes the lower levels of the skin. With 6 weeks or more of treatment, it is frequently very helpful against acne.
Side effects: Stinging, dryness, redness, flaking, and irritation
Downside: Retin-A makes skin more sensitive to sunburn and sun damage, so stay out of the sun and use effective protection against ultraviolet rays.
Cost: $35 to $50 for 15 grams
bring pimples to the surface more quickly. This means that acne may seem to be getting worse at first rather than better, but with patience the condition should clear up. Tretinoin is also used to smooth out wrinkles due to sun damage.
There is another prescription gel or cream that is based on a vitamin. Nicomide-T gel or cream contains nicotinamide, a form of niacin. Like Retin-A, it is topical but not an antibiotic, so theoretically bacteria should not develop resistance to it. A preliminary study showed that Nicomide-T gel is as effective as clindamycin gel in reducing blemishes.” Other research confirmed that it can protect the skin and is less likely to dry it than a number of other acne treatments. 11, 13 It is not clear whether Nicomide-T is as effective as Retin-A, though some studies conducted by the manufacturer, Sirius Laboratories, suggest that adding it to other treatments boosts the effectiveness of both.
Jul
2
Acne: Over-the-Counter Treatment
Benzoyl peroxide is the primary ingredient in most OTC acne treatments. This compound has antimicrobial activity and is usually quite effective for mild acne.
G. My teenage son has a mild case of acne, but to him it is huge. He washes with strong cleansers and uses a variety of acne medicines. Can you recommend something that will clear up his skin so he doesn’t scrub so much? His face is bright red after all the washing, and I don’t think that is good.
A. You’re right! Acne is not caused by dirt, so vigorous washing won’t help. It may even make things worse.
OTC benzoyl peroxide (Benzac, Clearasil Acne Treatment, Oxy 5, etc.) should do the job. If not, your son should see a dermatologist. Retin-A (tretinoin) and/or antibiotics can work wonders.
Benzoyl peroxide is found in a number of different products, from cleansing bars and liquid cleansers to lotions and even shaving creams. Read the instructions on the label and follow them; the procedure varies a little for the different forms. Benzoyl peroxide can dry the skin and cause irritation. If that happens, use it a little less frequently or look for a product with a lower concentration of the ingredient. Some Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide unplugs pores and discourages thegrowth of skin bacteria. It is not, however, an antibiotic, and skin bacteria don’t seem to develop resistance to it.. Follow the instructions on the product label for application and use.
Side effects: Skin irritation, dryness, redness, scaling, and rash
Downside: Acne may worsen initially before improving. Use the product for 6 weeks to 2 months to evaluate its effectiveness..
Cost: Varies, depending on - the product; approximately $20 to $30 for a month’s worth of gel .
individuals are allergic to benzoyl peroxide and break out in hives or swelling, so try it out on your forearm first to make sure you will not react badly. If you do, you will have to forgo benzoyl peroxide treatment and look for another way to manage your acne.
A few nonprescription acne products contain active ingredients other than benzoyl peroxide. Resorcinol is generally used in combination with sulfur (Clearasil Adult Care contains them both). Salicylic acid is also found in some OTC acne products. None of these should be used in combination with benzoyl peroxide. All may irritate and dry the skin, and they should not be combined with other products that might irritate the skin.
Jul
2
Acne Home Remedies.
July 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Home Remedies
People have devised a number of potions to put on their faces as home treatments for blemishes. There’s really no good evidence that any of them work, but they might be worth a try. We heard from a man who had tried washing his face with milk every day as a teenager and found it helpful. He wasn’t able to convince his daughter to try the same approach, though. We haven’t seen any evidence that a milk face wash is effective, but it seems like a low-risk adventure. In India, milk is mixed with ground nutmeg and applied to blemishes as a treatment.
Another approach is the clay mask. Versions of this are sold in drugstores and at cosmetics counters. We don’t know why it would work, but it has been popular for a long time.
Q. I taught pottery at a vocational program in the Dominican Republic some years ago. My teenage students often smeared liquid local clay from our workshop on their faces as a cure for acne. The treatment worked.
A. We’ve never seen a scientifically solid study of clay for treating acne. But clearly, clay masks have been used as a complexion aid for centuries. We don’t know if American teenagers would be willing to embrace such a treatment, but stranger things have become popular.
Clay is not the only traditional “poultice” that has been applied to blemishes. We’ve heard of one home remedy that calls for mixing a teaspoon of powdered nutmeg with a teaspoon of honey and putting it on the zit for 20 minutes.’ Then it is rinsed off, just as the nutmeg-milk mixture or milk alone would be. Still another variant is to apply a paste of ground cinnamon and honey to the blemishes and leave it on overnight. Whether any of these will actually clear up pimples is a mystery to us. They have not been put to the rigors of scientific study.
One natural product that has been studied is tea tree oil in a 5 percent gel. An Australian study compared a gel composed of an extract of the Australian tree Melaleuca alternifolia to a standard over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide.’ The scientists who conducted the 124-patient study wanted to see if the antimicrobial activity of the tea tree product would be useful. They found that although the initial response was slower, the benefits were comparable for non-inflamed lesions after 3 months of treatment. Benzoyl peroxide was significantly better at reducing inflamed lesions, but it also produced significantly more undesirable side effects, such as skin dryness, stinging, itching, burning, and redness. If you can’t find a water-based tea tree oil gel, look for a cleanser with tea tree oil, which should be readily available. Some people are allergic to tea tree oil, so try a bit on the inside of your forearm first to make sure you don’t have a reaction. Watch for redness, itching, or irritation.
Speaking of cleansers, it is a myth that acne is caused by dirt that needs to be scoured off with a harsh or gritty cleanser. Simply washing the face gently each morning and evening with a nondrying cleanser such as Dove, Cetaphil, or CeraVe is recommended. Cosmetics and sunscreens should be noncomedogenic, which means they don’t contribute to blackheads. This information should be on the label.
Q. 1 am 39 years old and plagued with acne on my chin and neck. The dermatologist has given me topical prescription creams that haven’t done much good, and has said my only other choice would be oral antibiotics.
Recently I started applying Neosporin ointment to the affected areas of my face. The difference is miraculous! I am practically blemish free after only 2 weeks of this treatment. Any blemishes I do get are very small and disappear within a few days of applying the Neosporin. Have you heard of this? My teenager tells me that some of her friends do the same.
A. Neosporin contains the antibacterial ingredients polymyxin B, bacitracin, and neomycin. It is used for first aid to keep minor cuts from becoming infected. Your use of Neosporin is new to us. If you stop getting good results, check back with your doctor. There are a number of other prescription treatments for acne that should help. Some people develop serious skin reactions to neomycin.
Tags: acenocoumarol potency warfarin, acne treatment, actonel jaw falling, affect cymbalta side, american teenagers, benzoyl, benzoyl peroxide, blemishes, boniva hotel prague, caffeine chemical energy, can neurontin cause muscle pain, celexa memory, cell body or soma, cephalexin expired, cheap price viagra, cipro in dogs, class action lawsuit seroquel, Clay, clay mask, clay masks, cleanser, clindamycin phosphate vaginal cream 2, complexion, compulsive obsessive disorder and prozac, craftsman 19.2 lithium, cure for acne, doxycycline treaments, Drug, drugs, drugstores, eczema side effect of zantac, entocort pentasa comparator, face wash, fluconazole for treatment of cocci, flutamide and hair loss, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, hepatic metastasis use diflucan, hippocampus volume suicide murder lithium clozapine, home remedies, home remedy, info on viagra, levitra line pharmacy, levitra south africa, lithium for autism, milk mixture, neomycin, omeprazole still feel sick, peripheral neuropathy and seroquel, pharmaceutical compositions containing lithium carbonat, pimple, pimples, pool paint shock lithium, poultice, prescription, quinacrine chloroquine antimalarial, Remedies, response, rigors, sciencedaily testosterone deprivation makes men forget, skin, steroid results testosterone cypionate, stranger things, tamoxifen toxicity, tea tree oil, teenage students, tegretol xr in children, tetracycline receptors stomach, treating acne, Treatment, typical dosage of abilify, what is allegra used for, zantac for excess bloating and gas, zoloft negative side effects