(Mode of Action of Drugs)

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Chapter

1.4

Chapter

13.2

Drugs Used in Skin

Disorders

For the treatment of various skin disorders,
local application of drugs in the form of
cream, ointment, gel etc., appears to be the
ideal and convenient form of management.
However, in severe conditions different
drugs can also be given by oral routes. The
different agents used in various skin
disorders are classified as in table 13.2.1.

The detailed pharmacology of various
agents listed in table are discussed in
different chapters and only remaining
agents are covered in this section.

ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTS

Topical antibacterial agents are used to
prevent infection and in the early treatment
of infected dermatoses and wounds. Various
preparations contain corticosteroids in
addition to antibacterial agents.

Detailed pharmacology of various
antibacterial agents is discussed in chapter
‘Chemotherapeutic agents’.

MUPIROCIN

It is structurally unrelated to other topi-
cal anti-bacterial agents. Most of the gram

positive aerobic bacteria including methicil-

lin resistant S. aureus are sensitive to

mupirocin. It inhibits in-vivo synthesis of

bacterial proteins by specific and reversible

binding to isoleucyl transfer-RNA syn-

thetase bacterial enzyme. It is indicated in

the treatment of impetigo (which is a com-

mon skin disease, characterized by superfi-

cial bacterial infection caused by S. aureus

or streptococci. The primary lesion is a su-

perficial pustule crust, which may occur on

normal skin or superimposed upon another

skin disease).

Topical Antibiotics Used in Acne

Clindamycin is active against

Propionibacterium acnes. Erythromycin alone

and in combination with benzoyl peroxide

is used in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Topical metronidazole is effective in the

treatment of acne rosacea.

Tetracycline hydrochloride and

minocycline sulfosalicylate are used in the

treatment of acne vulgaris.

Topical sodium sulfacetamide is used in

the form of lotion and in combination of

Drugs Used in Skin

Disorders