Posts filed under 'Acne Treatments'
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
Doryx tablets have recently entered the rebate craze to help reduce your copay. Unlike many mail in rebates, the Doryx rebate is taken off at the pharmacy. That’s right, you get up to $35 off on the spot! This can greatly reduce or eliminate your copay.
In addition, by going to the Doryx website, you can download and print off rebates for refills. This is a great opportunity to save on an excellent acne medication.
To find out more, visit the Doryx website and visit the Rebate Program link.
January 14th, 2006
As you may well know, there are a lot of products to choose from when it comes to the benzoyl peroxides. Guess what, now there’s something new.
Benziq is the newest benzoyl peroxide to hit the prescription topical acne market. Chester Valley Pharmaceuticals is hoping to target the sensitive skin niche with their new product that contains three different moisturizing agents to help prevent the typical dryness that often results from benzoyl peroxide use.
Benziq comes in both a full and “lower strength” LS gel as well as a cleanser.
Time will tell where this new benzoyl peroxide product will fit in the scheme of topical acne treatment.
January 12th, 2006
In addition to topical and oral medications, there are several procedures that can help acne. Acne surgery has been performed for years and is relatively straightforward.
Acne surgery is performed mostly for comedonal (blackeheads and whiteheads) acne. A comedone extractor is used as pressure is evenly applied around each comedone to “press out” the embedded material. Care must be taken not to rupture any of the follicles as this may lead to an inflammatroy lesion.
Acne surgery is a good precursor to retinoid therapy. It helps to clear the comedones and then the retinoid helps to prevent further comedone formation.
January 11th, 2006
Pledgets, or medicated pads, are a very useful tool for treating acne. These medicated pads come in 3 main prescription classes, the benzoyl peroxide class (Zoderm pads, Triaz pads), the topical antibiotic class (Clindets, Cleocin T Pads, Erypads), and the sulfur/sodium sulfacetamide class (Rosula NS pads).
For those of you who are always on the go or are athletes, pledgets allow the convenience of a portable treatment. You simply tear off a pad and take it with you. The pads are great for after practice or after a game or to use for a quick application before going to school or work.
Pledgets are also ideal for those people who have acne on the body as the medicine goes on nicely without leaving much residue so that you can quickly put on clothes and be on your way.
So when you’re discussing acne therapy with your doctor, remember that pledgets may fit well into your lifestyle.
January 10th, 2006
As the iPLEDGE program rolls in, perhaps the most important feature is the monitoring of pregnancy in women of childbearing potential both during isotretinoin therapy and for 1 month after treatment is complete. Starting in March, all women of childbearing potential will be required to register with the iPLEDGE program, answer questions about birth control, and enter the two forms of birth control that they are using. In addition, all women of childbearing potential will have to login to the iPLEDGE system every month to again answer questions and cofirm the two forms of birth control they are using.
January 9th, 2006
Perhaps the most diverse topical medication available for acne is clindamycin. Clindamycin is one of the topical antibiotics and works both by fighting bacteria and by decreasing inflammation. Clindamycin is best used for inflammatory acne.
Clindamycin comes in many forms including gels (Clindagel, Cleocin T gel, etc.), solutions (Cleocin T solution), lotions (Cleocin T Lotion), foams (Evolcin foam), pads (CleocinT Pledgets, Clindets) and if also found in the combination therapies (Benzaclin, Duac).
As you can see, the treatment possibilites vary greatly and your doctor should be able to match your individual needs to a particular product. For example, we like to use clindamycin lotion for those people with acne or folliculitis on the legs from shaving. In addition, for acne that involves both the face and body, the use of clindamycin foam or pads can make application easier.
The combination therapies pack an extra punch by combining clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide, but may be a bit drying.
So, if you think you may benefit from topical clindamycin, speak with your dermatologist about which form of clindamycin best fits your lifestyle.
January 8th, 2006
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