Archive for January, 2006
Joining the family of benzoyl peroxide washes is the new Zoderm Redi-Pad. Doak Dermatoligics has launched this new pad with the twist of being the only cleansing benzoyl peroxide in a pad.
The company hopes that this large sized pad, which is ideal for covering larger body surface areas (for example acne on the shoulders, back and chest) and the portability that it allows will help it gain popularity in the acne treatment arena. The pads also contain the ingredient urea wich is well tolerated, even in patients with very sensitive skin.
Zoderm Redi-Pads come in 4.5%, 6.5% and 8.5% strengths. We shall see if this niche product gains footing in the acne cleanser catergory.
January 31st, 2006
Occasionally, when someone starts isotretinoin, they may experience what is known as a cystic flare. There are a few ways of reducing this.
First, the dose of the isotretinoin can be lowered to less than the “full” dosage. Thi s is commonly done.
A second way is the add in an oral antibiotic to help fight potential inflammation. Perhaps the best antibiotic for this is erythromycin as the tetracycline family (doxycycline and minocycline) should NOT be taken with isotretinoin as there is increased risk for a condition known as pseudotumor cerebri.
January 30th, 2006
Sorry for the lack of posts this past week, we were away for a little break. We wanted to let you know that we are back and you can expect more up to the minute information on Everything Acne as you have come to expect.
January 29th, 2006
When it comes to doxycycline, there are several versions to choose from. Like many of the oral antibiotics, there are both brand and generic forms. The generic form is simply doxycycline and this comes in 50, 75, and 100mg sizes. Brand versions include Doryx, Adoxa.
The main difference between the branded and generic forms is the frequency of dosing. Both Adoxa and Doryx only need to be taken once a day, while the generic version should be taken twice a day. In addition, the branded medications are specially coated to be more gentle on the stomach. When it comes to successfully following through with an acne regimen, compliance is key and it is far easier to comply with once a day dosing versus twice daily dosing. Plus, the more gentle nature of the brand versions may make tolerating the medication easier.
In addition, Adoxa comes in a 150mg dose which is unique to all doycycline medications.
So, when it comes to doxyxycline, there are differences between branded and generic versions and you should weigh the greater ease of taking the branded versions versus cost.
January 21st, 2006
A recent article in Practical Dermatology took a look at some recently released and forthcoming fomulations for the treatment of acne. The new treatments include new delivery systems, new combination therapies, and completely new agents to the acne arena. Stay tuned as we will highlight these new options in upcoming posts.
January 20th, 2006
There is a new trend in dermatology that involves using low dose doxycycline. Doxycyline is one of the oral antibiotics commonly used in acne therapy. In addition to fighting bacteria, doxycyline also helps to decrease inflammation. There is a school of thought that the anti-inflammatory effects are more important than the anti-bacterial effects when it comes to improving acne.
As a results, interest in low dose or “sub-antimicrobial” dose doxycyline is being investigated. With this dose, the doxycycline does not act like an antibiotic, it acutally does not get to high enough levels to fight bacteria. As a results, common side effects including yeast infections, photosensitivity, and potential bacterial resistence are not issues.
At this lower dose, you strictly get the anti-inflammatory effects. This low dose regimen which consists of 20mg twice daily was first looked at in rosacea and is currently being investigated for acne.
We’ll keep you posted…
January 19th, 2006
A recent article in Cutis magazine looked at the role of a vitamin C derivative in the treatment of acne. The article compared the effects of 5% sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate lotion (APS) vs. 1% clindamycin phosphate lotion for the treatment of acne.
The study was completed in 70 people and showed some interesting results. In the APS group, there was a global improvement of 75.7% versus a 54.5% global improvement in the clindamycin group. In addition, the APS group showed a 40.7% reduction in inflammatroy lesions and a 65.7% improvement in non-inflammatory lesions vs. 39.4% and 58.1% in the clindamycin group, respectively.
The hypothesis on how APS helps in acne is that it works as a scavenger of singlet oxygen which may cause sebum oxidation which is the main cause of progressive oxidative reactions of triglycerides. This then casues inflammation which then causes abnormal follicular hyperkeratinization resulting in comedone formation. In more simple terms, oxygen radicals start a cascade of events that leads to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. APS helps to get rid of oxygen radicals.
In conclusion the article shows that APS cream is successful in treating acne and is well tolerated.
January 18th, 2006
Recently, we have received many phone calls regarding the fact that Evoclin Foam can occassionally sting the skin with use. It is important to realize that alcohol is necessary in order for the active antibiotic, clindamycin to be put into the foam vehicle. As a result, this alcohol component may burn at times.
Evoclin has the advantages of being used on any part of the body, fast absorption without leaving any residue and a once a day indication (most topical clindamycin preparations are ideally applied twice a day). However, if the winter weather has your skin a bit more dry and the foam is irritating, contact you doctor and see if a clindamycin lotion may be substituted.
January 17th, 2006
In a recent post, we spoke about the newest benzoyl peroxide on the market, Benziq. Recently, we have been getting calls from pharmacies wondering which strength to give, when in fact, Benziq only comes in one strength, 5.25%.
The problem that arises is that the pharmacists are confusing Benziq with Benzac (which comes in 2.5%, 5% and 10% strengths). It is easy to see where this confusion could occur. It is important to know that while these medications are similar, they are not the same. Benziq, as stated in our prior post contains moisturizers that will help decrease the potential irritation that benzoyl peroxide sometimes causes.
So, look carefully at your prescription when you pick it up from the pharmacy and make sure you have the correct medication.
January 16th, 2006
We wanted to introduce a new category into the Everything Acne.com blog. We look forward to sharing a number of posts that will deal with the issue of branded medications vs. generic medications. In today’s world of rising drug prices, we are often confronted at the pharamacy with the choice to substitute a generic medicine for a decreased cost or copay.
The question remains however, is the generic really a true substitute? In the acne world, there are often several differences.
So, whenever you see a post that starts with Brand vs. Generic, we will try to illustrate the differences between the two and cases when the Brand medication may be worth the extra cost.
January 15th, 2006
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