Dermatology Therapeutics

Question 1

Side effects of emollients

Answer 1

-Can become contaminated with bacteria - fingers should not be inserted into pots (many brands have pump dispensers)

Question 2

Side effects of corticosteroids

Answer 2

-Endocrine: impaired glucose regulation, increased appetite/weight gain, hirsutism, hyperlipidaemia
-Cushing’s syndrome: moon face, buffalo hump, striae
-Musculoskeletal: osteoporosis, proximal myopathy, avascular necrosis of the femoral head
-Immunosuppression: increased susceptibility to severe infection, reactivation of tuberculosis
-Psychiatric: insomnia, mania, depression, psychosis
-Gastrointestinal: peptic ulceration, acute pancreatitis
-Ophthalmic: glaucoma, cataracts
-Dermatological: acne
-Suppression of growth in children
-Intracranial hypertension
-Neutrophilia

Question 3

Side effects of antibiotics

Answer 3

-Doxy= photosensitivity
-Flucloxacillin= cholestasis
-Co-amoxiclav= cholestasis

Question 4

Side effects of antifungals

Answer 4

-P450 inhibition
-Liver toxicity
-Vomiting
-Nephrotoxicity

Question 5

Side effects of retinoids

Answer 5

-Teratogenicity
=females should ideally be using two forms of contraception (e.g. Combined oral contraceptive pill and condoms)
-Dry skin, eyes and lips/mouth
=most common side-effect of isotretinoin
-Low mood
=whilst this is a controversial topic, depression and other psychiatric problems are listed in the BNF
-Raised triglycerides
-Hair thinning
-Nose bleeds (caused by dryness of the nasal mucosa)
-Intracranial hypertension: isotretinoin treatment should not be combined with tetracyclines for this reason
-Photosensitivity

Question 6

Side effects of therapy for actinic keratosis and Bowen’s Disease

Answer 6

-Topical 5-fluorouracil
=Inflammation/ erythema

-Crytherapy

Question 7

Side effects of therapy for parasitic infections

Answer 7

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