Derm Therapeutics Flashcards
Identify common types of vehicles for topical medications and select appropriate the vehicle for different clinical situations
Ointments: Water in oil emulsion
- HIGHLY hydrating, softener, protectant
- Hardly irritating
- STRONG drug potency
- Non-interginious sites
- Kinda greasy, stains clothing :(
Creams (aqueous creams): Oil in water emulsion
- Not as hydrating as ointment
- Can become sensitized / irritated
- Good anywhere
- Pt prefers (rub on easily)
Gels: Semisolid emulsion in alcohol base
- DRYING!!!!!!!
- Strong potency tho
- High irritant risk
- Good on oral mucosa & scalp
- Avoid on fissures, erosions, etc
Lotions/Solutions: Powder in water (some oil in water)
- Kinda drying (varies)
- Low potency
- So/so sensitization, irritation
- Don’t use on fissures either
- Pts prefer this
Foams: pressurized collections of gaseous bubbles in a matrix of liquid film
- Volatile component evaporates, leaving behind high conc drug
- Strong potency
- Quick drying, stain free, no residue
- Good for hairy areas
Which penetrates more easily, hydro philic or phobic
phobic
Describe definition of FTU and estimate amount of topical medication necessary to treat different body areas
Finger-Tip Unit. Length of tip out of 5mm nozzle. 0.5 g
ONE HAND, BOTH SIDES = 1 FTU Foot: 2 Face & Neck: 2.5 Arm: 3 Leg: 6 Trunk: 7
Understand classification system for topical corticosteroids, identify prototypical topical corticosteroids
Classed 1 - 7: Strong –> Low, based on vasoconstriction
“The Gentle Touch”: Hydrocortisone 2.5%
- Class 7
- Use for eczema, inflammatory dermatoses involving anatomic regions such as the face, intertriginous areas, or groin.
- Fine for sensitive areas
“The Almost All-Purpose Weapon”: Triamcinolone
Acetonide 0.1%
- Class 4
- Moderate spongiotic dermatoses (including eczematous dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, arthropod bite)
- Sensitive areas OK in short term
“Hercules”: Clobetasol Propionate 0.05%
- Class 1
- Acute eruptions
- Avoid sensitive areas
- Long-term use requires monitoring
ADRs of topical corticosteroids
- Skin atrophy (esp on ventral surface)
- Long-term use = systemic effects
- Adrenal suppression
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Growth retardation in children
