Allergic contact dermatitis from nitroglycerin and estradiol transdermal therapeutic systems

Contact dermatitis due to transdermal therapeutic systems: a clinical update

Transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) have become a popular method of drug delivery because they allow drugs to be delivered in a rate-controlled manner, avoiding first-pass metabolism and the fluctuating plasma concentrations encountered with oral medications. Unfortunately, TTS may provoke adverse skin reactions as irritating contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis: TTS seem to be ideally suited to produce sensitization because they cause occlusion, irritation, due to the repeated placement of the allergen in the same skin location. Since TTS consist of an adhesive, an active pharmaceutical drug and enhancing agents, sensitization may develop owing to one of these three agents. The purpose of this manuscript is to review known responsible allergens of contact dermatitis due to TTS.

Corticosteroid transdermal delivery to target swelling, edema and inflammation following facial rejuvenation procedures

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The use of transdermal therapeutic systems has spread worldwide since they allow effective local drug delivery. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a new betamethasone valerate medicated plaster (Betesil®) to manage facial swelling, edema, inflammation, ecchymosis, and hematoma, when applied immediately after a facial rejuvenation procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We applied the plaster to the skin of 20 healthy patients for 12 hours immediately after hyaluronic acid-based procedure performed with the aim of erasing facial wrinkles of perioral and nasolabial folds and improving chin and eye contour. A further 20 patients underwent the same cosmetic procedure, but they were treated with an aescin 10% cream (applied immediately after the procedure, in the evening, and the morning after) and served as control group.

RESULTS

Betesil® application resulted in a significant improvement in swelling/edema/inflammation score, if compared with aescin 10% cream (P < 0.01). As for facial ecchymosis and hematoma around the needle injection track, only two patients in the active treatment group displayed minimal ecchymosis and hematoma. In the control group, two patients presented minimal ecchymosis and three slight hematoma. However, using the ecchymosis/hematoma score, no significant difference between Betesil® and aescin 10% cream groups was observed. Patients' satisfaction was significantly higher among subjects receiving Betesil®, if compared to patients receiving aescin 10% cream (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The present study supports the use of Betesil® plaster immediately after facial cosmetic procedures in order to safely control swelling, edema, and inflammation.

Practical management of cutaneous reactions to the methylphenidate transdermal system: recommendations from a dermatology expert panel consensus meeting

BACKGROUND

Psychostimulants remain the most-used medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) is the first stimulant patch dosage formulation to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the symptoms of ADHD in children aged 6 to 12 years. The MTS patch is approved to be applied once daily to the hip and worn for 9 hours. While cutaneous reactions may occur with any formulation of medication, they are more likely with transdermal administration.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this commentary was to describe the types of cutaneous reactions that have been reported with transdermal systems in general, review the cutaneous adverse events seen in clinical trials with the MTS specifically, and provide practical management suggestions for prevention and treatment of these potential cutaneous reactions.

METHODS

In September 2007, a group of child psychiatrists, pediatricians, developmental pediatricians, and pediatric neurologists who treat ADHD and have had experience in their practices with MTS convened to discuss cutaneous reactions in relation to its use. Information collected from this meeting and from the clinical trials database of the sponsor was reviewed by a panel of 3 dermatologic clinical experts in contact dermatitis and 1 pediatric dermatologist. The panel's recommendations form the basis for this report.

CONCLUSIONS

Mild to moderate erythema is a common cutaneous effect with MTS use, and is generally not a cause for discontinuation if seen in isolation. Irritant contact dermatitis is relatively common and can be reduced and treated by alternating patch application sites, moisturizing, gentle skin care, and application of topical corticosteroids at the previous patch sites if needed. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and allergic contact urticaria are rare when MTS is worn as directed in the prescribing information. MTS should be discontinued if ACD is suspected.

Cutaneous Reactions to Transdermal Therapeutic Systems

Transdermal therapeutic systems have been increasingly used in the past two decades. However, cutaneous side effects are fairly common and may result in poor patient compliance. This review article summarizes the spectrum of reactions due to transdermal therapeutic systems and provides a current list of known allergens.

Adverse dermatologic effects of cardiovascular drug therapy: part III

Cardiovascular disease is common, affecting an increasing number of persons as the population ages. To combat this growing health problem, physicians use a multitude of medications in the treatment of their patients. Although pharmacologic therapy greatly enhances quality of life for a majority of patients, there is always the potential for an unfavorable reaction. For example, cardiovascular drugs can induce a vast array of adverse dermatologic responses. This article reviews the various cutaneous reaction patterns that can occur as a result of treatment with vasodilators and other antihypertensive drugs, anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, thrombolytic agents, and lipid-lowering agents.

Efficacy and tolerability of a new estradiol delivering matrix patch (Estraderm MX) in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

To examine the efficacy and tolerability of a new matrix patch delivering estradiol (E2 Matrix) at doses of 0.05 and 0.10 mg per day (Estraderm MX 50, 100) in the treatment of moderate to severe postmenopausal symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 254 postmenopausal women were randomized to receive treatment with E2 Matrix 0.10 mg (N = 86), E2 Matrix 0.05 mg (N = 82), or placebo (N = 86) in a double-blind, double-dummy fashion for a period of 12 weeks continuously. Patches were applied twice weekly to the buttocks with each patient wearing two patches at all times. The primary efficacy criterion was the difference from baseline of the mean number of moderate to severe hot flushes per 24 h during the last 2 weeks of treatment. Other efficacy variables included reduction in hot flushes at 4 and 8 weeks, reduction in daytime flushing and night sweats, and Kupperman Index at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

E2 Matrix 0.10 and 0.05 mg were both significantly superior to placebo in reducing hot flushes per 24 h after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment (P < 0.001). Also, for all other efficacy parameters studied, both dosage strengths of E2 Matrix were statistically significantly superior to placebo at all time points (P < 0.001). Local tolerability was good in both groups. A slight increase in estrogen related adverse effects (breast tenderness, leukorrhoea) was seen with the 0.10 mg patch. Adhesion of patches and compliance were good. Overall systemic tolerability was good in both treated groups. However, a 4.8% overall incidence of endometrial hyperplasia was observed in patients with an intact uterus.

CONCLUSIONS

This new matrix patch offers an effective and well tolerated dosage form for delivery of 0.05 and 0.1 mg estradiol per day. It may be particularly suitable for those women who experience local sensitivity to alcohol-containing systems. In light of the observed hyperplasia after treatment in five patients, estrogen therapy should as yet be supplemented monthly with a progestogen in women with an intact uterus.

Efficacy and tolerability of Estraderm MX, a new estradiol matrix patch

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of a new matrix patch delivering 0.05 mg estradiol per day (Estraderm MX 50) in postmenopausal women with moderate to severe postmenopausal symptoms.

METHODS

A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, between-patient, placebo controlled trial in 109 postmenopausal women was carried out. Patches were applied twice weekly for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. The primary efficacy variable was change from baseline in mean number of moderate to severe hot flushes (including night sweats) per 24 h during the last 2 weeks of treatment. Other variables included Kupperman Index, local and systemic tolerability. Plasma concentrations of estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and estrone sulfate (E1S) were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Estraderm MX was significantly superior to placebo (P < 0.001) in reducing mean number of moderate to severe hot flushes (including night sweats) per 24 h after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. The estimate of treatment group differences after 12 weeks was 4.2 hot flushes (95% confidence interval: 2.6-5.8). Estraderm MX also significantly reduced Kupperman Index at all time points compared to placebo (P < 0.001). Estraderm MX induced increases in mean E2, E1 and E1S plasma levels as expected (E2: baseline 2.7 pg/ml, 12 weeks 38.9 pg/ml; E1: baseline 18.8 pg/ml, 12 weeks 41.6 pg/ml; E1S: baseline 235.6 pg/ml, 12 weeks 765.1 pg/ml). Overall rates of adverse experiences were similar for Estraderm MX and placebo. The number of patients reporting skin irritation was low and similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Estraderm MX 50, a new matrix patch, offers an effective and well tolerated dosage form for transdermal delivery of 0.05 mg E2 per day.