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Tazorac
(tazarotene) Gel 0.05%
and 0.1% from Allergan Inc was approved by the FDA in June 1997
for the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis
of up to 20 % of body surface area. The 0.1% gel has also been
approved for the treatment of mild to moderately severe facial
acne vulgaris. Tazorac
is a retinoid (vitamin A derivative) which helps to normalise
the abnormal epidermal cell differentiation that occurs in psoriasis
and acne vulgaris. It is not a steroid so it won't cause thinning
of the skin. Tazorac is also marketed under the brandname Zorac.
Metrogel
(metronidazole) Gel 0.75% from Galderma Laboratories Inc
received FDA approval in November 1998 for the treatment of moderate
to severe acne rosacea.
Elidel
(pimecrolimus) Cream
1% from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation received FDA approval
in December 2001 for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic
dermatitis in patients aged 2 years or more. It inhibits
T-cell activation and prevents the release of inflammatory cytokines
(chemicals released by the immune system). Elidel is not a steroid
and therefore does not cause thinning of the skin, stretch marks
or spider veins.
Botox
Cosmetic
from Allergan Inc was approved by the FDA in April 2002 for the
temporary improvement of moderate to severe glabellar lines (the
vertical wrinkles between the eyeborws)
in adult men and women, ages 65 and younger. Botox (botulinum
toxin) is injected into the affected area to block nerve impulses
to the muscles that cause frowning in that area. The effects
can be seen after a few days to a week and can last up to 4 months.
Finacea
(azelaic acid) Gel 15%,
developed by Berlex's Laboratories received FDA approval in December
2002 for the treatment of the imflammatory papules and pustules
of mild to moderate acne rosacea.
Azelaic acid 20% cream has been used for many years for treating
mild to moderate acne.
Protopic
(tacrolimus) Ointment from Fujisawa Healthcare, received FDA approval
in December 2002 for the treatment of atopic
dermatitis in patients aged 2 years. The 0.1% concentration
of tacrolimus ointment was approved for the treatment of adults,
while the lower 0.03% concentration was approved for the treatment
of both children (ages two and above) and adults for short-term
and intermittent long-term therapy. Protopic is a topical immunomodulator
(TIM) that acts at the site of the immune imbalance to help stop
the redness and itching of eczema inflammation. It is not a steroid,
so it won't cause thinning of the skin.
Amevive
(alefacept) from Biogen
Inc became the first biological therapy to be approved by the
FDA (in January 2003) for the treatment of moderate to severe
plaque psoriasis - other
biological therapies are still being evaluated. It blocks the
action of T-cells so they cannot release cytokines (chemicals
released by the immune system) that causes the manifestations
of psoriasis. Amevive has to be given by injection. |