Drugs for Skin

Alclometasone is a steroid medication prescribed to treat a variety of skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, and rashes. It reduces the itching, swelling, and redness associated with the disease. This topical synthetic corticosteroid is recommended for corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses such as actinic dermatitis, kiss-type allergy and skin itch.

Alclometasone is a synthetic steroid medication prescribed to treat variety of skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, and rashes aiming to reduce the itching, swelling, and redness.

Allantoin is used as a moisturizing agent to prevent or treat various skin disorders such as dry, itchy, scaly skin or the psoriasis symptoms and for specific skin irritations such as minor burns due to radiotherapy or a diaper rash. It works by forming an oily layer on the top of the skin that traps moisture in the skin.

Amcinonide is a topical glucocorticoid, prescribed for skin inflammation and itching.

Amorolfine is a topical antibiotic, prescribed for toenail infections and skin fungal infections.

Avelumab is a programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody which is prescribed to treat adult and pediatric patients of 12 years and older who suffer from advanced Merkel-cell carcinoma that has spread to other parts of the body. Merkel-cell carcinoma is a rare but highly aggressive form of skin cancer caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus. Avelumab is also used to treat urothelial cancer (cancer that occurs in the bladder, ureter, and urethra) in patients whose cancer was worsened during chemotherapy or within 12 months of chemotherapy given with surgery. It received orphan drug designation in January 2017 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for treating stomach cancer. Avelumab acts either by slowing down the growth of cancer cells or stops the further development of cancer.

Bemotrizinol / Bisoctrizole is used in sunscreens. It absorbs both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B and protects the skin against sun damage including skin cancers. It also prevents photodegradation of other chemical ingredients in sunscreens.

Benzyl benzoate is the ester of benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid, prescribed for lice and scabies infestations.

Biafine is a water-based emulsion, prescribed for various types of wounds.

Brodalumab is a human monoclonal antibody prescribed to treat moderate-or -severe plaque psoriasis in patients who do not respond to other systemic treatments. Plaque psoriasis is a skin disease in which the skin has red or scaly patches covered with a silver-white build up of dead skin cells. The lesions usually appears on the knee, elbow, scalp or lower back. Brodalumab works by blocking inflammation by targeting the interleukin (IL)-17 receptor A.

Butenafine is an antifungal, prescribed for dermatological infections such as tinea versicolor (rashes on the trunk region of the body), athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch that prevent the growth of fungus.

Cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibiotic, prescribed for pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, ENT and skin infections.

Cefoperazone Sodium Injection is a cephalosporin antibiotic, prescribed for susceptible infections such as respiratory tract infection, infections of the skin and skin structures, urinary tract infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, and other infections.

Cefotaxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic, prescribed for certain types of bacterial infections such as lower respiratory tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, skin and skin structure infections, and others.

Ceftizoxime is active against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms and is used in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease that also has appropriate antichlamydial coverage, intra abdominal infections, septicemia, skin infections, bone and joint infections, and in infections that are resistant to other cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, or penicillins. Ceftizoxime belongs to the third generation cephalosporin antibiotic class. It is resistant to a board spectrum of beta-lactamases. It acts by interfering with the last step (cross-linking of peptidoglycans) of cell wall synthesis in bacteria. This leads to a reduction of cell wall stability and leads to cell lysis. Ceftizoxime sodium is the sodium salt form of ceftizoxime.

Cephaloridine, administered parenterally was used for bacterial infections, like lower respiratory tract, skin and urinary tract infections (before 1970s). It is no longer available for therapeutic use. Cephaloridine acts like other cephalosporin and penicillin antibiotics by interfering with the final step of bacterial cell wall synthesis. As a result the cell wall weakens and cell lysis occurs. Cephaloridine is more commonly used in veterinary practice to treat mild to severe bacterial infections caused by penicillin resistant and penicillin sensitive bacterial species.

Cetrimide is a skin antiseptic and disinfectant prescribed for seborrhoeic dermatitis and wound cleansing. The cream has a bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria and incompatible with soaps and other anionic surfactants.

Chloroxylenol is an antimicrobial agent, prescribed as a antiseptic and disinfectant.

Clobetasol Propinate is a corticosteroid, prescribed for skin disorders including eczema, psoriasis and lichen sclerosis. The medication reduces the action of chemicals that causes inflammation and redness.

Cloxacillin is used for to the treatment of several infections that may include endocarditis (infection of the inner layer of the heart), pneumonia (infection of the lung) and other respiratory tract infections, bone and joint infections, sepsis (blood infection), skin and soft tissue infections and urinary tract infection. Like other penicillins, it prevents the synthesis of the bacterial wall, resulting in its death. It is effective against bacteria that produce an enzyme called penicillinase like penicillinase-producing Staphylococci. Penicillinase breaks down penicillin and results in resistance to the drug.

Dapsone is an antibacterial drug, prescribed for leprosy and skin infections either alone or with other medications.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is also known as androstenolone. It is used for multiple conditions, but its efficacy in most of these has not been proved. Some of the conditions where it is used are mentioned below: • Postmenopausal symptoms in women with pain during sex • Adrenal insufficiency, where the adrenal gland does not produce enough hormones • To improve aging skin • Depression It is also sold as a nutritional supplement. Its use in athletes is banned by the World Anti-doping Agency.

Delafloxacin is prescribed to treat adult patients suffering from acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSI) which are caused by susceptible gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. It acts by killing the bacteria that is responsible for causing the infections.

Desonide is a topical corticosteroid, prescribed for atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and contact dermatitis in both adults and children.

Desoximetasone is a topical (for the skin) steroid, prescribed for inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.

Diflorasone Diacetate is a topical corticosteroid, prescribed for inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of skin.

Dimethicone is an emollient, prescribed for pediculosis, and other skin conditions.

Econazole is an antifungal agent; prescribed for vaginal thrush, skin infections, athlete's foot and jock itch.

Faropenem is an oral carbapenem, beta-lactam antibiotic which is used for the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and gynecological infections. Faropenem acts by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. The drug shows a broad range of antibacterial activity and can act against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria aerobes and anaerobes.

Fluocinolone is a topical corticosteroid, prescribed for eczema.

Fluocinonide is a topical adrenocortical steroid, prescribed for skin disorders such as itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation and discomfort. It inhibits the action of chemicals that cause redness and inflammation.

Flurandrenolide is an adrenocortical steroid, prescribed for certain skin diseases.

Gatifloxacin is an antibiotic, prescribed for certain types of bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis, sinusitis, skin and skin structure infections, cystitis. It kills the bacteria that cause infection.

Guselkumab is prescribed along with either systemic treatment or phototherapy(UV light) to treat patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who do not show improvement only with topical medicines. It is an interleukin-23 blocker that prevents inflammation in psoriasis.

Halcinonide is a corticosteroid, prescribed for dermatoses. Halcinonide reduces the action of the chemicals that cause inflammation, redness and swelling.

Halobetasol Propionate is a topical corticosteroid, prescribed for skin inflammation and itching.

Hexachlorophene is a disinfectant, used as a skin cleanser and also for preventing the spread of infection.

Hydrocortisone Valerate is a corticosteroid, prescribed for various skin diseases.

Hydrocortisone, Neomycin and Polymyxin contains two antibiotics and a corticosteroid, prescribed for ear, eye and skin infections.

Hydroquinone is a local cream prescribed for dark or hyper-pigmented skin marks such as freckles (small flat brown marks on the face and sun exposed areas), melasma (brown patches on skin), age spots, and dark spots due to acne, pregnancy-related scars, skin trauma or use of birth control pills. It works by inhibiting tyrosinase, enzyme which is required to make melanin in skin cells. Melanin give the skin the dark color.

Isotretinoin is a retinoid, prescribed for acne and other skin disorders.

Mafenide is a sulfonamide, prescribed for skin infections either alone or with other medications.

Mecetronium has antimicrobial properties. It is available in a combination with other antiseptics and is used in clinical and surgical practice. It is applied to the skin before injections or punctures. It is also used to maintain hand hygiene and as a hand disinfectant prior to surgical procedures.

Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic, prescribed for bacterial infections like skin and skin structure infections, bacterial meningitis, serious nosocomial infections like septicaemia, febrile neutropenia, intraabdominal and pelvic infections. The medication inhibits cell wall synthesis in bacteria, and thereby leading to cell death.

Methyl Aminolevulinate Hydrochloride is a photosensitizing agent, prescribed for skin lesions (actinic keratoses).

Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid prescribed for severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, certain blood disorders and skin conditions.

Metronidazole Topical is an antibiotic, prescribed for inflammatory papules and pustules of rosacea.

Mometasone is a topical corticosteroid, prescribed for treatment of inflammatory skin disorders (such as eczema and psoriasis), allergic rhinitis (such as hay fever), and asthma. Nasal spray is used for seasonal allergies like runny nose. It reduces inflammatory reactions and modifies immune reactions in the body.

Moxifloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic, prescribed for bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus, skin and skin structure infections, and others.

Naftifine Hydrochloride is an antifungal agent, prescribed for skin infections. Naftifine Hydrochloride prevents the fungal growth.

Neomycin Topical is an antibiotic, prescribed for fungal or viral infections.

Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, prescribed for certain types of bacterial infections such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, skin and skin structure infections, and others.

Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic, prescribed for various infections such as acne, dermatitis, gonorrhea, etc.

Ozenoxacin cream for topical use is prescribed for the external treatment of impetigo in adult and pediatric patients who are 2 months of age and older which is caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Ozenoxacin is found to be effective against certain bacteria which are resistant to currently used quinolones or fluoroquinolones antimicrobial agents. It works by inhibiting certain bacterial DNA replication enzymes such as DNA gyrase A and topoisomerase IV thereby inhibiting bacterial cell division resulting in antibacterial activity.

Permethrin is a pyrethroid, prescribed for scabies.

Pimecrolimus is a topical immunomodulator, prescribed for eczema in non-immuno compromised adults and children 2 years of age and older.

Quiniodochlor is a antibacterial agent, prescribed for dermatophytosis, mycosis barbae, seborrhoeic dermatitis, infected eczema, furunculosis and pityriasis versicolor (athlete’s foot).

Quinupristin and Dalfopristin is a streptogramin antibiotic, prescribed for certain bacterial infection (e.g. complicated skin and skin structure infections).

Resorcinol is a dihydroxy benzene, prescribed for acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin disorders.

Retapamulin is a pleuromutilin antibiotic, prescribed for impetigo.

Selenium Sulfide is an anti-infective agent, prescribed for seborrheic dermatitis of scalp and treatment of dandruff.

Telavancin is an antibiotic, prescribed for serious skin infections.

Tigecycline is an antibiotic, prescribed for certain bacterial infection.

Tildrakizumab-asmn is an interleukin-23 antagonist which is prescribed for treating adults suffering from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit with systemic therapy or phototherapy. Tildrakizumab-asmn is a monoclonal antibody which works by binding to interleukin-23 and blocking it from attaching to its receptor; it thus reduces the release of cytokines and chemokines which are responsible for causing inflammation.

Topical Clarithromycin is an antimicrobial agent, prescribed for skin and skin structure infections.

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic, prescribed for serious bacterial infections, endocarditis and surgical prophylaxis in major procedures. It kills sensitive bacteria.

Zinc oxide is an emollient & skin protective, prescribed for diaper rash and other minor skin irritations.