Preparations for Psoriasis and Eczema

Preparations for Psoriasis and Eczema

Topical preparations for psoriasis

CALCIPOTRIOL:

Indications: plaque psoriasis.

Contraindications: should be avoided by those with calcium metabolism disorders, and used with caution in generalised pustular or erythrodermic exfoliative psoriasis.

Dose and Administration: Cream or ointment apply once or twice daily; max. 100 g weekly. child over 6 years, apply twice daily; 6–12 years max. 50 g weekly; over 12 years max. 75 g weekly.

CALCIPOTRIOL-BETAMETHASONE:

Indications: plaque psoriasis.

Contraindications: should be avoided by those with calcium metabolism disorders, and used with caution in generalised pustular or erythrodermic exfoliative psoriasis.

Dose and Administration: Initial treatment of stable plaque psoriasis, apply once daily to max. 30% of body surface (max. 15 g daily, max. 100 g weekly) for 4 weeks; if necessary, subsequent courses repeated after an interval of at least 4 weeks.

TAR-SALICYLIC ACID:

Indications: Psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp.

Contraindications: Acute psoriasis.

Dose and Administration: Use as a shampoo. Repeat once or twice weekly.

TAR-ZINC PYRITHIONE:

Indications: Psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp.

Contraindications: Acute psoriasis.

Dose and Administration: Use 2 – 3 times weekly for 3 weeks or until condition clears.

Drugs affecting the immune response

PIMECROLIMUS:

Indications: short-term treatment of mild to moderate atopic eczema (including flares) when topical corticosteroids cannot be used.

Contraindications: contact with eyes and mucous membranes, application under occlusion, infection at treatment site; congenital epidermal barrier defects; generalised erythroderma; immunodeficiency; concomitant use with drugs that cause immunosuppression, application to malignant or potentially malignant skin lesions.

Dose and Administration: Apply twice daily until symptoms resolve (stop treatment if eczema worsens or no response after 6 weeks); child under 2 years not recommended.

TACROLIMUS:

Indications: short-term treatment of moderate to severe atopic eczema (including flares) either unresponsive to, or in patients intolerant of conventional therapy.

Contraindications: hypersensitivity to macrolides; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes, application under occlusion; congenital epidermal barrier defects; generalised erythroderma; immunodeficiency; concomitant use with drugs that cause immunosuppression, application to malignant or potentially malignant skin lesions; breast-feeding.

Dose and Administration: adult and child over 16 years initially apply 0.1% ointment thinly twice daily until lesion clears (consider other treatment if eczema worsens or no improvement after 2 weeks); reduce to once daily or switch to 0.03% ointment if condition allows; child 2–16 years, initially apply 0.03% ointment twice daily for up to 3 weeks (consider other treatment if eczema worsens or if no improvement after 2 weeks) then reduce to once daily until lesion clears.