Posts filed under 'Acne Treatments'
When starting acne treatment with on of the topical retinoids (Differin, Retin a, or Tazorac) it is important to realize that there may be some initial irritation and dryness. We have spoken in prior posts about helping to reduce this initial irritation.
What’s important to remember is that if you can stick it out, you will eventually become “retinized.” This term is used in the dermatologic community and means that over time, your skin will adjust and get used to the topical retinoid and irritation will decrease and maybe even go away.
So, if you are just starting one of these topical medications, be patient and be tolerant, the results will be worth it.
February 23rd, 2006
This snipit comes directly from a newsletter from the American Academy of Dermatology:
Despite aggressive advocacy efforts by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, on Feb. 17, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the Academy that the March 1 start date for the iPledge program remains unchanged. For months the Academy has argued for postponement of the start date to provide the FDA and Covance (the iPledge vendor) sufficient time to resolve the numerous glitches with the program that have been reported by dermatologists and patients across the nation. Most recently, Diane M. Thiboutot, M.D., chair of the Ad Hoc Task Force on Isotretinoin, testified at a Feb. 10 FDA hearing on drug safety and risk management, urging a delay in the start date. Her comments received widespread media coverage, including wire services, CNBC, several health dailies, and the New York Times. Academy President Clay J. Cockerell, M.D., issued a statement on Feb. 21 expressing the dermatology community’s disappointment with the FDA decision and calling on the FDA and Covance to fulfill their duty and resolve the iPledge program’s many flaws by March 1.
February 22nd, 2006
Just a little reminder that the iPLEDGE program is nearing the mandatory enrollment deadline for prescribing physicians. In under two weeks, starting March 1, 2006 you will only be able to receive a prescription for isotretinoin (Accutane, Sotret, Amnesteem, Claravis) from a registered physician and fill the prescription at a registered pharmacy.
In addition, anyone receiving a prescription will need to be enrolled in the iPLEDGE program. Even if you are in the middle of a course of isotretinoin, you will need to be enrolled in order to finish your course of therapy.
To learn more, visit the iPLEDGE website and stay tuned for more information from Everyting Acne.com.
February 20th, 2006
Adult acne in a very common problem. In fact, studies show that over 50% of women suffer from acne well after their teenage years.
For those women that do not require prescription treatment, there is a new product from Numark Laboratories called Acnomel. Acnomel is targeted for women with adult acne who may experience dryness with over the counter medications containing benzoyl peroxide.
Acnomel contains 2% resorcinol and 8% sulfur that is less likely to cause drying. So, if you suffer from adult acne, there is something new that may help.
February 18th, 2006
While the winter weather is here the use of isotretinoin (Accutane, Sotret, Amnesteem, Claravis) for acne treatment can cause the lining of the nose to dry out. This can in turn lead to cracking and even bleeding.
The best way to prevent this is to keep the nasal mucosa nice and moist. Our favorite remedy is the use of Ocean Nasal Spray. This over the counter product can be used several times a day to help restore the nose’s natural moisture that may be decreased with the use of isotretinoin, especially in the winter months.
February 16th, 2006
Another new acne treatment product has been held up by the FDA for further study. Velac is a combination clindamycin/tretinoin combination that was to be used for acne treatment. This combination acne treatment would bring the power of a topical antibiotic and topical retinoid in one easy application.
Connetics, the company behind Velac remains focused on bringing this product to market.
February 15th, 2006
A recent study published in Cosmetic Dermatology took a look at using topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide together (at the same time) in the treatment of acne.
In the past, the original topical reitnoid, tretinoin (Retin-a) was not stable and would lose its ability to work when combined with other acne products. More recently, newer topical retinoids such as adapalene (Differin) and the microsphere formulation of tretinoin (Retin-a Microgel) have shown better stability when used with other agents such as benzoyl peroxide.
The study made reference to tests that had been done that showed that Differin is 100% stable after 24 hours of being mixed with benzoyl peroxide and that Retin-a microgel was stable to 97% at 8 hours and 70% after 24 hours of being mixed with benzoyl peroxide.
The study’s main evaluation was on how this combination was tolerated and it proved that the combination of both agents was no more irritating than the topical retinoid alone.
The study conclusions showed that the use of either topical retinoid along with the benzoyl peroxide (which was the Triaz 3% pad) proved to be both stable and well tolerated. What this suggests is that this combination being used at the same time may make treatment easier to do and thus increase overall compliace and results. The study did not compare how well the combination worked in treating the acne, but we’re sure more data will be available on this in the future.
February 14th, 2006
Joining the topical benzoyl peroxide cleansing market is Zapzyt. Zapzyt 10% Benzoyl Peroxide bar is a soap-free cleanser that is marketed to help clear active blemishes as well as to help prevent new outbreaks. In the bar form, Zapzyt is easy to use on the face, back, and chest.
Zapzyt is priced to meet anyone’s budget and this may help increase its use and popularity in the topical acne over the counter market.
Learn more at here.
February 12th, 2006
Galderma was hoping to launch Differin XP in 2005, but delays from the FDA may move things back until late 2006.
This new formulation of Differin is a new offering to the topical retinoids. The 0.3% strength Differin XP has been proven in studies to be more effective at both reducing total lesion counts as well as reductions in both inflammatory (pimples and pustules) and non-inflammatory (blackheads and whiteheads) lesions than Differin 0.1% gel.
We will see where this fits in among other topical retinoids and look forward to possible head to head studies with Retin-a and Tazorac.
February 11th, 2006
Sometimes, the use of oral antibiotics can predispose women to yeast infections. This may present a problem in the treatment of acne, since many times, oral antibiotics are used to help with inflammatory acne. Fortunately, there are some treatments that can be used.
To begin, an oral antifungal pill in low doses (amphotericin) can be combined with tetracycline. By taking both of these together, this can almost eliminate the risk of yeast infections. Pharmacists need a special machine to combine these two agents into a capsule.
Another possiblity is sub-antimicrobial doses of doxycyline. This is a new trend in the treatment of acne and rosacea. By using a low dose, the levels of the medication actually never act like an antibiotic, they simply work by decreasing inflammation. In as such, there is no problem with yeast infections.
So, if you are a female who requires oral therapy for your acne and you are susceptible to yeast infetions, ask you dermatologist about these options.
February 10th, 2006
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