Pharmacology for Dentistry

454 Section 13/ Miscellaneous

PRAMOXINE

It is a topical anaesthetic which can
provide temporary relief from pruritus with
mild eczematous dermatoses.

TRICHOGENIC AGENTS

MINOXIDIL

Topical minoxidil is effective in revers-
ing the progressive miniaturization of scalp
hairs associated with androgenic alopecia
(male pattern baldness). It is a hereditary
disorder due to excessive conversion of tes-
tosterone to dehydrocorticosterone in the
scalp skin in genetically susceptible men.

FINASTERIDE

It is a inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase and
blocks the conversion of testosterone to
dehydrotesto-sterone. It prevents further
hair loss in the significant proportion of men
in the androgenic alopecia.

Adverse effects include decreased
libido, ejaculation disorders and erectile
dysfunction.

It is used in the treatment of benign
prostatic hypertrophy in the dose of 5 mg
daily. In 1 mg dose it is used in the treatment
of androgenic alopecia.

Dutasteride is newer compound similar
to finasteride.

ANTISEBORRHEIC AGENTS

These agents are effective in seborrheic
dermatitis which is characterized by
erythematous scaling lesions.

The various agents, e.g. selenium sulfide
and imidazole antifungals lotion or

shampoo are used in dandruff which is most

common problem. Selenium sulfide also has

antikeratolytic and fungicidal properties.

MISCELLANEOUS COMPOUNDS

These are the agents which can be used in

various skin disorders e.g., atopic

dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and certain

types of psoriasis and other related

disorders.

TACROLIMUS

It is an immunosuppressant macrolide

antibiotic produced by Streptomyces

tsukubaensis. Like cyclosporine, tacrolimus

binds to a cytoplasmic immunophylin and

the complex inhibits the activity of the

calcium dependent phosphatase known as

calcineurin. This in turn, inhibits the

translocation of the transcription factor

NF-AT into the cell nucleus, blocking the

initiation of NF-AT dependent T-cell

responses. It is indicated in atopic

dermatitis.

It is recently approved for immunosup-

pression in liver and kidney transplant pa-

tients.

SIROLIMUS

It is a newer agent derived from

Streptomyces hygroscopicus that binds

immunophylin (same as in tacrolimus and

cyclosporine). It is indicated in the

management of psoriasis and uveoretinitis.

PREDNICARBATE

It is a halogen free steroid and highly

active corticosteroid for topical application.