Drug Mechanisms in Dermatology

Topical Drugs for Infectious Diseases

Topical Antibacterials used for Wound Care:
Bacitracin:
Polymixin B:
Neomycin:
Mupirocin:
Gentamicin:
Silver Sulfadiazine:
Topical Antibacterials used for Acne & Rosacea:
Benzoyl Peroxide:
Clindamycin:
Erythromycin:
Metronidazole:
Azelaic Acid:
Sodium Sulfacetamide:
Antiseptics:
Triclosan:
Chlorhexidine:
Povidone-iodine:

Topical Antifungals:
Polyenes
Nystatin:

Azoles
Miconazole:
Clotrimazole:
Ketoconazole:
Oxiconazole:
Econazole:
Sulconazole:
Allylamines & Benzylamines
Naftifine:
Terbinafine:
Butenafine:
Other topical antifungals
Ciclopirox Olamine:
Selenium Sulfide:
Tolnaftate:

Antiviral Agents Topical & Intralesional

Viricidal Drugs:
Acyclovir:
Penciclovir:
Cidofivir:
Foscarnet:
Idoxuridine:
Immunoenhancing Drugs
Imiquimod:
Interferon :
Cytodestructive Drugs
Bleomycin (Intralesional):
Podophyllin & Podofilox:
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCAA):
Cantharidin:
Salicylic acid:
5-fluorouracil:
Antiparasitic Agents
Permethrin:
Ivermectin:
Lindane:
Malathion:

Topical Immunomodulatory and Antiproliferative Drugs

Topical Corticosteroids: Antiinflammatory and antiproliferative/atrophogenic effects.
Mechanisms of action:
1. Steroid diffuses into the target cell and binds to the GCR in the cytoplasm.
2. Steroid-GCR complex undergoes necessary conformational changes.
3. Resulting active complex traverses the nuclear envelope and binds to acceptor sites on DNA.
4. Gene regulation and transcription of various specific messenger RNA occur.
Topical Retinoids:
.
Retin-A (all-trans retinoic acid or Tretinoin):
Adapalene:
Tazarotene:
Topical and Intralesional Chemotherapeutic Agents:
5-Fluorouracil:
Mechlorethamine/Nitrogen Mustard:
Carmustine/BCNU (bischloroethylnitrosurea):
Vinblastine (Intralesional):
Topical Immunotherapy
Diphenylcylclopropenone (DPCP):
Squaric Acid Dibutyl Ester:
Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB):
Topical Immunosuppressive Agents
Tacrolimus (FK506):

Sunscreens:
UVB Sunscreens (290-320nm):
Padimate O (octyl dimethyl PABA):
Octyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate):
Octyl Salicylate (Octisalate):
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid:
UVA Sunscreens (320-400nm)
Oxybenzone:
Menthyl Anthranilate:
Avobenzone (Parsol 1789):
Titanium Dioxide:
Zinc Oxide:
Vitamin D:
Sunless Tanners (Dihydroxyacetone):

Therapeutic Shampoos:
Keratolytic Shampoos:
Salicylic acid (salacid):
Salicylic acid & Sulfur:
Cytostatic Shampoos:
Selenium sulfide:
Zinc pyrithione:
Antimitotic Shampoos
Tar:
Antimicrobial Shampoos:
Ketoconazole:
Chloroxine (Capitrol)

 Iodophores (Betadine Surgical Scrub

Antiinflammatory Shampoos & products
Fluocinolone:
Betamethasone valerate foam (Luxiq)
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids:
Glycolic Acid:
Lactic Acid:
Agents Used for Treatment of Hyperkeratosis:
Salicylic Acid:
Sulfur:
Tar:
Urea:
Propylene Glycol:
Topical Vitamin D3:
Vitamin D Analogues:
Calcipotriol (Vit. D3 analogue, calcipotriene):
Tacalcitol:
Maxacalcitol:
Calcitriol (Vit. D3):

Cosmetic Therapy
Hydroquinone (1,4 dihydroxybenzene):
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA):
Facial Foundations & Camouflage Cosmetics
Skin Cleansers:
Moisturizers:
Hair Shampoos:
Permanent Waving Agents:
Hair Straightening Agents:
Hair Dyeing Agents:
Hair Bleaching Agents:
Nail Polish:
Miscellaneous Topical Agents
Minoxidil:
Becaplermin:
Anthralin:
Ascorbic Acid:
Phytonadione:
Vitamin E:
Aluminum Chloride:
Occlusion/Wet Wrap:
Insect Repellents
.
Plant-derived Repellents:
Citronella:
Eucalyptus:
Permethrin:.
Injectable & Mucosal Routes of Drug Administration
Intralesional Injections:
Bleomycin:
Cisplatin
Fluorouracil & Methotrexate:
Meglumine Antimonate:

Local Anesthetics:
Topical Anesthetics:
Lidocaine
Tetracaine
Dyclonine:
Pramoxine:
Dibucaine:
Epinephrine:
Capsaicin:
Antihistamines:
Diphenhydramine:
Doxepin