Avastin, which is a monoclonal antibody, has been approved by the FDA to use to for colon cancer. Unfortunately this drug is not a cure, but a time extender. When it is given with standard chemotherapy, it can extend a patients life up to 5 months. This does not seem much, but it is a hope for some of the people suffering with the disease.
The FDA updated their website, making it easier to use and to find information about prescription drugs…. you can either get to it from www.fda.gov or follow the link: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm
This website will also contain information about some OTC products and discontinued drugs.
Psoriasis is a noncontagious chronic skin disease that is relatively common. Psoriasis is diagnosed when there is a defect in th enormal cycle of skin development. It looks like raised red skin patches that is covered by a silverish-white flaky buildup. These patches can have pain associated with them, and some even bleed. Currently 1 to 3% of the world’s population suffers from psoriasis. It effects both men and women equally. No one knows the cause, but it is mainly associated with either genetic predisposition or evironmental issues. Some of these environmental issues that can trigger an attack are: mechanical, ultraviolet, or chemical injury to the skin, stress, smoking, changes in hormones, alcohol, obesity, or medications.
The medications that are known to possibly induce psoriasis include the antimalarial drugs, lithium, beta-blockers, quinidine, some NSAIDS, ACE-Inhibitors, tetracycline, and withdrawal of systemic corticosteriods.
What happens in psoriasis? Well the cycle to make new skin is going faster than normal, and the cells move up to the surface faster, they do not have a chance to differentiate, so they present as inflammed, red scaly skin. This process activates T cells, which provides the exaggeration of the immunological process, helping the skin stay red and inflammed.
There are several types of lesions associated with psoriasis, but the most common one is chronic plaque psoriasis and they are usually found on the elbows, knees, the butt, or scalp, but can appear anywhere. Psoriasis also affects the nail beds. It can cause a separation between the nail from the nail bed, and other problems, including discoloration. Additionally, psoriasis can cause arthritis.
Unfortunately modern medicine did not come out with a cure yet. The only treatment available is suppressive, that is trying to prevent outbreaks of events of psoriasis. There are a variety of topical treatments, including phototherapy. The topical medications used include corticosteroids, anthralin, crude coal tar (OTC, T/Gel), vitamin D analogs, retinoids, salicylic acid and emollients( OTC, like some Curel products). The drugs most often used to treat psoriasis are methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin, Amevive, and raptiva.
As mentioned earlier, there is no cure for psoriasis, but fortunately there are many people out there looking for a cure and there are a lot of investigational drugs being considered for the treatment of psoriasis.
As today seems like the day to talk about skin conditions, and with the weather becoming nicer and more and more people are going into the woods and other areas where poison ivy, etc, are found, I will take a few minutes of how to treat it. Trust me, in the summer, about 90% of the questions asked to pharmacists deals with poison ivy.
Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are the most common cause of allergic reactions in the US. Poison ivy is a vine found mainly east of the rocky mountains ( Toledo and the surrounding areas have a lot of it growing) while poison oak is more common west of the rocky mountains, and is usually a shrub. Poison sumac is mainy found in peat bogs or swampy areas as a small tree or shrub. It is common in southern canada and the eastern states. These plants all share a common oil, which is called Urushiol. This oil is present in most of the plant including the leaves, stems, and roots. Contacting this oil directly ( touching a plant) or indirectly (petting your dog, clothing that came in contact with the plant, etc. ). Airborn urushiol particles (from burning the plant) can also can an allergic reaction. Normally the rash does not appear until a person’s second contact with the oil.
When it does occur, it is a red itchy blistering rash that appears within 2 days after coming in contact with the oil. The blisters will start crusting over after a few days and then within 10 to 21 days, the rash completely heals.
Prevention is the key when possible– so remember, “leaves of 3, let them be” (poison ivy and oak are arranged in groups of 3) while poison sumac is arranged in groups of 7 to 13. When the oil, urushiol is exposed to air, it blackens in color… so this appears as plants with drops of black enamel on them. When they cannot be avoided, protect by covering as much as possible. Where long pants and long-sleeved shirts, vinyl gloves, etc… and when you are done contacting the poison plants, be very careful of how you take your clothes off and do not let them touch anything, like the couch or your seats in the car… and wash the clothes separately from the rest of your clothing…. don’t forget about the shoes and the shoestrings or any other object that came in contact with the poison plant.
If you do come in contact with the plant wash the exposed area ASAP! ( the best is within 30 minutes). Soap and water is the best or you can spend some money and get special poison ivy soap… when these are not available, cool water can work, but be very complete and rinse a long time…
Well, now that you have the rash, what can you do? Cool bathes, with or without oatmeal or baking soda, and then applying a OTC hydrocortisone cream ( 1% is the strongest available over the counter). Calamine lotion is not very helpful, it turns you pink… but it can help dry the rash. Do not use it on open blisters though. If you have trouble sleeping look into taking a benadryl capsule… this can help with the itch and is the active ingredient found in most of the over the counter sleep aids (50mg is the recommended dose to sleep).
Contact your doctor if the rash gets worse or it effects the eyes, genitals, or large areas of the face.