Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is a naturally occuring dicarboxylic acid that is found in grain. In the 1970’s an Italian dermatologist, Dr. Marcella Nazzarro Porro investigated its therapeutic potential and found that it has the ability to reduce pigment formation.

How Do I Use This Medication?

Apply a thin film of the cream to the affected area twice a day. Reducing the quantity used, and the frequency of applications, can increase tolerance if it causes irritation. Occasionally the product has to be discontinued.

How Well Does It Work?

You should see an improvement in terms of pigmentation and a reduction in inflammation in 4-8 weeks.

How Does It Work?

It is of benefit in reducing pigment formation in the skin by its anti-tyrosinase action in hyperactive melanocytes. It therefore is useful in the treatment of melasma.

The activity against Proprionibacteria acnes and Staphyloccocus epidermidis makes it active in the treatment of acne and rosacea. It appears to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. It has mild anti-comodone action. The anti-inflammatory properties are a result of its oxy radical scavenging action.

Will There Be Side Effects?

You may experience itching due to irritation and subsequent dryness. Hypopigmentation may be rarely seen in darker skinned individuals. The drug is listed in FDA Pregnancy Category B – this means, that the drug levels that are passed into breast milk are insignificant.

Which Brands Are Available?

Minocycline (Minocin®, Dynacin®, Vectrin®)

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INTRODUCTION
Minocycline inhibits the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. Anti-inflammatory actions. Drug Class: Antibiotic, Anti-inflammatory-long acting tetracycline... | Read more ...

CLININCAL EXPERIENCE
Oral antibiotics have had a significant role in the treatment of inflammatory disease such as acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis and others. Tetracycline has long been the first line antibiotic for acneform eruptions because of its efficacy and affordability although in inconvenience of divides doses on an empty stomach has compromised compliance in some. P. acnes resistance to Tetracycline and Erythromycin has meant looking elsewhere for an alternative antibiotic. Bacterial resistance to Minocycline has been much slower to develop... | Read more ...

INDICATIONS
Labeled Indications: Dermatologic Dermatologic: Acne vulgaris, Inflammatory acne, Anthrax, Chancroid, Granuloma inguinale, Lymphogranuloma venerum, Skin and soft tissue infections , Syphilis, Yaws... | Read more ...

PATIENT PROFILE
Any inflammatory acne or rosacea patient who is not likely to respond to topical therapy alone. If scarring present or nodulocystic acne a more aggressive approach may be necessary... | Read more ...

DOSING
Capsules: Minocycline 50 and 100mg (Minocin* Dynacin*) Suspension: Minocycline 50mg (Minocin* Dynacin*) Parenteral: Minocycline 100mg (Minocin IV*) ... | Read more ...

EFFICACY
Improvement in inflammatory lesion in acne is about a 20% reduction a month. It may take 1-2 months to see initial benefit. After 6 months there is an approximate 60-70% improvement in inflammatory acne counts. Studies over the last 20 years have shown that tetracycline, erythromycin, doxycycline and minocycline have about the same efficacy in acne... | Read more ...

COMPLIANCE
All tetracyclines are broad-spectrum bacteriostatic agents. They are well absorbed, although oxytetracycline and tetracycline should not be taken with food. Minocycline as well as Doxycycline are absorbed almost as well on an empty as full stomach... | Read more ...

SIDE EFFECTS, SAFETY AND RISKS
Discard outdated tetracyclines as degradation products may be toxic. Not recommended in pregnancy and in children under 8 years of age as permanent enamel hyperplasia, discoloration of teeth, and inhibition of fetal skeletal growth may occur... | Read more ...

COST OF TREATMENT
Cost of treatment of 1 month of standard dose for acne: Minocycline 100 mg daily for 1 month $42. Tetracycline 1gm daily for 1 month ... | Read more ...

View the entire Minocycline (Minocin^®, Dynacin^®, Vectrin^®) presentation.