Safety of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss in patients receiving antihypertensive medications
A study published in JAAD evaluated the safety of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) for the treatment of hair loss in adults receiving antihypertensive medications. The study included patients on antihypertensive medications receiving LDOM for different forms of hair loss. The researchers assessed the heart rate and blood pressure of participants before, 36 hours after, and 30 days after starting LDOM treatment. Over 30 days, there were no significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure compared with baseline measures.
Oral minoxidil vs. topical minoxidil for male androgenetic alopecia. Read more.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Atopic dermatitis hide and seek — The impending role of OX40 inhibition
The burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) — for patients, their families, and society — is vast and increasing. Treating AD has improved dramatically over the past decade as we have many topical options (corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitors, a topical JAK inhibitor [ruxolitinib], and other agents likely soon to be released [roflumilast, tapinarof]), phototherapy, oral JAK inhibitors (upadacitinib, abrocitinib), and the biologics (dupilumab, tralokinumab). This commentary will focus on the emergence of OX40 inhibitors for AD. The OX40/OX ligand signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis with current trials underway. Keep reading!
Risk, timing of isotretinoin-related abnormalities on lab tests
A retrospective cohort study published in the International Journal of Dermatology assessed the risk of laboratory abnormalities in patients with acne starting isotretinoin versus oral antibiotics. The results showed that isotretinoin users had a higher risk of severe hypertriglyceridemia and severely elevated aspartate transaminase levels within three months of treatment initiation. The absolute risk of these abnormalities was low (severe hypertriglyceridemia, 0.4%; severely elevated aspartate transaminase levels, 0.2%), with a marginal clinical difference.
No significant risk was noted for other severe laboratory abnormalities among patients starting isotretinoin. The authors concluded that isotretinoin is associated with a clinically marginal increased risk of severe hypertriglyceridemia and hypertransaminasemia. Routine blood testing should be performed one to three months after starting therapy.
Risk of invasive fungal infections in patients receiving biologics
A study published in JAAD highlighted data regarding the risk of developing an invasive fungal infection in patients receiving various biologic medications. The rate of invasive fungal infections was low (0.4%) among patients receiving TNF-α inhibitors for dermatologic conditions; the risk was highest in patients receiving concurrent corticosteroids. Candidiasis, primarily candidal esophagitis, was the most common infection. Similar results were noted for patients receiving IL-17/IL-23 inhibitors. There was an increased rate of invasive fungal infections among patients with underlying or background immunosuppression.
With increasing resistance to antifungal therapies, here’s what dermatologists need to know about managing dermatophytosis. Read more.
Treating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color
Authors of a study published in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery summarized treatment outcomes for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) with a focus on skin of color (SOC) individuals. This review of data from 46 studies on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in 1,356 patients with SOC found that topical retinoids and laser therapy were the most commonly used treatment modalities, with partial improvement noted in 85% and 66% of the participants, respectively. Laser therapy resulted in a complete resolution in 26% of the patients. Other treatment modalities including hydroquinone, intense pulsed light, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and chemical peels showed varying degrees of partial improvement. The authors concluded that topical retinoids and laser therapy are currently the most effective treatments, with laser therapy being the only therapy offering potential complete resolution.
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