Medicines & You

= Chemical Compound
= Indications
= Dosage
= Contraindication
= Special Precautions
= Adverse Reactions
= Drug-Drug Interaction

Dermatologicals

a) Anti-infectives

Fusidic acid.
Skin infections caused by Staph, Strep & other Fucidin-sensitive organisms.
Hypersensitivity.

Na Fusidate.
Skin infections caused by Staph, Strep & Fucidin-sensitive organisms.
Avoid contact w/ eyes.
Hypersensitivity (rare).

b) Anti-infectives with Corticosteroids

Per g Dexamethasone acetate 0.4 mg, clotrimazole 10mg.
Eczema & inflammatory diseases of the skin (dermatitis) esp those involving fungi.
Syphilis, skin TB; varicella; reactions to vaccinations against smallpox; herpes simplex; perioral dermatitis; panmyelopathy; hemolytic icterus.
Infants; pregnancy.
Rarely, skin irritation; steroid acne, telangiectasis; changes in hair growth; dermatrophy; striae distensae.

Betamethasone-17-valerate 0.1%, neomycin sulfate 0.5%.
Inflammatory dermatoses responsive to topical corticosteroid therapy, when bacterial infection is present or suspected.
Rosacea; acne vulgaris; perioral dermatitis; primary cutaneous viral infection. Treatment of primarily infected skin lesions caused by infection w/ fungi or bacteria; skin lesions; primary or secondary infections due to yeast; dermatoses in childn , 1 yr. Perforated otitis externa.
Infant & childn; face may exhibit atrophic changes on prolonged treatment; avoid contact w/ eyes. Pregnancy. Long-term continous therapy.
Local atrophic skin changes; hypercorticism; hypersensitivity. Pigmentation changes & hypertrichosis. Also see lit

Miconazole nitrate 2%, hydrocortisone 1%.
Superficial fungal infection accompanied by inflammation. Eczematous rash superinfected by fungus &/or gm +ve bacterial.
TB skin affections, herpes simplex, vaccinia, all forms of varicella.
Pregnancy. When applied over extensive surface or under occlusive dressing.

Econazole nitrate 1%, triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%.
Dermatomycoses accompanied by pronounced inflammatory or allergic symptoms.
Tuberculous, leutic or viral skin infection.
Avoid prolonged use on thin skin & face.
Burning, itching.

Fluocinolone acetoride 0.025%, neomycin 0.5%.
Local inflammatory, pruritic & allergic skin disorders where secondary bacterial infection is present or likely.
Primary skin infection by bacterial, fungi or viruses. Acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, anogenital pruritus, napkin rash. Use in external auditory canal when eardrum is perforated. Hypersensitivity to neomycin.
Chronic use, use on face or extensive areas. Infants, childn; pregnancy, lactation. Avoid the eyes. Not normally used for widespread plaque psoriasis. Avoid application to breasts, minimize use on other parts of mother’s body.
Irritation at application site, hypersensitivity. Atrophic skin changes & adrenal suppression following prolonged use.

Isoconazole nitrate 1%, diflucortolone valerate 0.1%.
Initial or interim treatment of superficial fungal infection of the skin, which are accompanied by highly inflammatory or eczematous skin conditions.
Tuberculous or syphilitic processes in the area to be treated; viral diseases; 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Avoid contact w/ eyes. Do not apply to the face if rosacea or perioral dermatitis is present. Additional, specific therapy required in mixed bacterial infection caused by gm-ve organisms.
Application to large body areas or for prolonged period: Skin atrophy; telangiectasia; striae; acneform changes; perioral dermatitis, hypertrichosis, systemic effects of corticoid. Rarely, allergic skin reactions, signs of irritation.

c) Topical Corticosteroids

Mometasone furoate.
Relief of the inflammatory & pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.
Systemic absorption may be increased if extensive body surface are treated. Long-term use in infant & childn. Avoid contact w/ eyes. Pregnancy, lactation.
Rarely, parethesia, pruritus, burning, tingling/stinging, signs of skin atrophy.

Clobetasone butyrate.
All types of eczema & dermatitis, including atopic eczema, photodermatitis, otitis externa, primary irritant & allergic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, seborrhoeic dermatitis & insect bite reactions. Maintenance between courses of more potent topical steroids in more resistant dermatoses.
Skin lesions caused by viral, fungal & bacterial infections.
Infants & childn; prolonged & continuous use; pregnancy. Discontinue if secondary infection develops, avoid prolonged application to face.
Hypersensitivity. Transient adrenal suppression. Pigmentation changes & hypertrichosis.

d) Acne Treatment Preparations

Cream Sulfur 2.5%, resorcinol 1.25%, chloroxylenol 0.375%. Bar Sulfonated surfactant blend 6.3%.
Cream Acne vulgaris. Bar Acne & greasy skin.

Cindamycin phosphate.
Acne vulgaris.
History of hypersensitivity to clindamycin or incomycin; regional enteritis; ulcerative colitis, antibiotic-related colitis.
Soln: Alcohol base may cause burning & irritation of the eyes, atopic individuals.
Irritation, dryness, stinging & erythema. Gl upsets, contact dermatitis. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea & colitis.
Antagonism w/ erythromycin.

Isotretinoin.
Acne vulgaris.
Patients w/ a personal or family history of cuteneous epithelioma. Pregnancy, lactation.
Do not apply to lips, mouth, eyes, mucous membranes or angles of the nose; broken, eczematous or sunburned skin. Avoid exposure to sunlight & sunlamps.
Stinging, burning, slight irritation, reddening, peeling.

Tretinoin.
Acne vulgaris.
Acute dermatitis, acute eczema, rosacea. Hypersensitivity.
Exposure to sunlight including sunlamp should be minimized. Avoid contact w/ eyes, mouth, angle of the nose & mucous membrane. Eczema; sunburn; pregnancy & lactation.
Erythema, edema, blistering; hypo-or hyperpigmentation, sensitivity to sunlight.

e) Antiseptics & Disinfectants

Cetrimide, benzalkonium Cl.
Urinary dermatitis, to treat & prevent nappy rash, to soothe irritation & redness of infection in prickly heat, treatment of minor burns & wounds.

Chlorhexidine gluconate.
Surgical hand scrub, pre-op skin prep.
For external use only. Avoid contact w/ eyes, brain, meninges & middle ear.
Occasionally, irritative skin reactions; extremely rare, generalized allergic reactions.

f) Fungicides & Antiparasites

Clotrimazole.
Dermatomycoses, pityriasis versicolor; erythrasma.
Skin reactions (rare).

Miconazole nitrate.
Dermatophytoses, mycoses & various fungi, pityriasis versicolor, infection & superinfection (gm+ve bacterial).

Terbinafine.
Fungal infections of the skin caused by dermatophytes, yeast & pityriasis versicolor.
Occasional redness or itching.

Tioconazole.
Dermal infections due to susceptible fungi & bacterial area once-bd.
Hypersensitivity to imidazole antifungal agents.
Not for ophth use.
Local irritation.

g) Psoriasis, Seborrhea & Ichthyosis

Calcipotriol.
Psoriasis vulgaris.
Avoid usage on the face as it may cause facial skin irritation. Careful hand washing after use is recommended. Pregnancy, childn.
Transient local irritation & very rarely, facial dermatitis may occur.

Selenium sulfide.
Tinea versicolor, common dandruff & mild to moderately severe cases of seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp.
Acute inflammation or exudation.
Oiliness or dryness of hair & scalp; hair discoloration, cutaneous sensitization.

h) Topical Antivirals

Acyclovir.
Herpes simplex virus infection of the skin including herpes labialis.
Application to mucous membranes.
Transient burning or stinging. Mild drying & flaking. Erythema & itching.

i) Skin Protectives

Per cake Lactic acid 1g, lactoserum 2.16g, monosodium phosphate 1.6g. Per 100 mL Lactic acid 1g, lactoserum 0.93g.
For cleansing eczema, occupational dermatitis, pruriginous dermatoses, acne, seborrheic dermatitis, prickly heat, diaper rashes.

Light liqd paraffin (mineral oil).
Bar Dry & sensitive skin. Gel & emollient Contact dermatitis, senile pruritus, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis & related dry skin conditions.
Acne or greasy skin.

Light liqd paraffin 52.5%, benzalkonium Cl 6%, triclosan 2%.
Topical treatment of atopic eczemas including eczemas at risk from infection.
Not recommended for baby < 6 mth. Do not use soap w/ product.

j) Antihistamines / Antipruritics

Crotamiton.
Essential pruritus, senile pruritus, anogenital pruritus, pruritus associated w/ allergies, jaundice, or diabetes mellitus & pruritus due to insect bites & stings; scabies, pediculosis capitis.
Do not apply on nipples when breastfeeding.
Avoid contact w/ eyes & mucous membranes. Pregnancy. Do not apply on acutely inflamed or weeping skin.
Local skin irritation or contact allergy.

k) Analgesics & Anti-Inflammatories

Ketoprofen.
Inflammatory articular musculoskeletal conditions & mild trauma due to sports injuries, sprains, tendonitis, musculotendinous contusions & oedema.
Avoid in childn < 5 yr & in patient w/ exudative dermatoses, eczema, sores & infected skin lesions or broken skin. Do not apply to the mucous membranes or eyes.

Diclofenac diethylamine.
Post-traumatic inflammation of the tendons, ligaments, & joints. Localised forms of soft-tissue rheumatism. Localised forms of degenerative rheumatism.
Do not apply to diseased skin or open wounds or injuries. Avoid contact w/ eyes or mucous membranes. Systemic side effects when applied to large areas of skin & over prolonged period of time.
Occasional: Allergic or non-allergic contact dermatitis, Isolated cases: Generalized skin rash, hypersensitivity & photosensitivity reactions.

l) Other Dermatologicals

Finasteride.
For the treatment of men w/ male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), to increase hair growth & prevent further hair loss. Not for use in women or childn.
Pregnancy (or may potentially be pregnant). Hypersensitivity to any component of this product.
Women should not handle crushed or broken tablets when they are or may potentially be pregnant.
Decreased libido (placebo 1.3% vs Propecia 1.8%); erectile dysfunction (placebo 0.7% vs Propecia 1.3%); decreased vol of ejaculate (placebo 0.4% vs Propecia 0.8%).

Minoxidil.
Alopecia androgenetica in males & females.
Pregnancy; lactation.
Burning & irritation of the eye. Avoid contact w/ abraded skin, eye & mucous membranes.
Scaling, dry skin, burning sensation, rash, erythema/flushing; dermatitis; hypertrichosis; infrequent allergic reactions; dizziness; tingling reaction; headache; weakness; neuritis; edema; eye irritation; altered taste; eye infection; visual disturbances; rarely alopecia, hair abnormalities; chest pain; BP changes; hepatitis; kidney calculi.
possible potentiating effects w/ guanethidine.