Dermatology pharmacology and prescribing

Question 1

what makes up a topical treatment

Answer 1

Vehicle+ active drug

pharmacologically inert, physically and chemically stable substance that carries the active drug

Question 2

how do topical steroids work

Answer 2

*Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive
properties

–Regulate pro inflammatory cytokines
–Suppress fibroblast, endothelial, and leukocyte function
–Vasoconstriction
–Inhibit vascular permeability

Question 3

side effects of steroids x7

Answer 3

Thinning /atrophyStriae
BruisingHirsutism
*Telangiectasia
*Acne/rosacea/perioral dermatitis
*Glaucoma
*Systemic absorption
*Cataracts

Question 4

3 types of systemic treatments in dermatology

Answer 4

*Retinoids
*Traditional immunosuppressants
*Biologics (also immunosuppressive)

Question 5

what do retinoids do x3

Answer 5

Vitamin A analogues
–Normalise keratinocyte function
–Anti inflammatory and anti cancer effects

Question 6

what do retinoids treat x4

Answer 6

–Acne
–Psoriasis
–Cutaneous T cell lymphoma
–Hand eczema

Question 7

risks and side effects of retinoids x4

Answer 7

Teratogenic

–Cheilitis(dry lips) and xerosis (dry skin)
–↑transaminases, ↑triglycerides
–Rarely psychiatric, eye, bone side effects

Question 8

risks with immunosuppressants

Answer 8

serious infection
malignancy

Question 9

what blood tests are needed with immunosuppressants

Answer 9

FBC
liver
renal

Question 10

how do biologics work

Answer 10

–Genetically engineered proteins derived from human genes
–designed to inhibit specific components of the immune system

Question 11

biologic names: what does the suffix -cept mean
and example

Answer 11

ReCEPTor fusion

–Etanercept-genetically engineered fusion protein

Question 12

biologic names: what does the suffix -mab mean
and example

Answer 12

used to denote Monoclonal AntiBodies

Question 13

risks of biologics x3

Answer 13

*Risk of infection
*Risk of malignancy
*TNF inhibitors –risk of demyelination