Gacozema

Uses

Eczema, Psoriasis

Gacozema is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Psoriasis Chronic, Quiescent PsoriasisAcne, Asthenopia, Ocular Irritation, Skin Mycoses, Eye discomfort, Skin disinfection, Irrigation of the ocular surface therapyAcne, Actinic Keratosis (AK), Alopecia Areata (AA), Atopic Dermatitis (AD), Blackheads, Chronic Eczema, Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, Corns, Dandruff, Dermatitis, Contact, Dermatitis, Eczematous, Dermatitis, Eczematous of the scalp, Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), Foot Callus, Fungal skin infection, Furuncle, Hand Eczema, Hyperkeratosis, Hyperkeratosis follicularis et parafollicularis, Infections, Fungal, Infections, Fungal of the Skin Folds, Infections, Fungal of the face, Infections, Fungal of the feet, Infections, Fungal of the hand, Keratosis Palmaris et Plantaris, Lichen, Lichen Plano-Pilaris, Lichen Planus (LP), Lichen simplex chronicus, Molluscum Contagiosum, Musculoskeletal Pain, Neurodermatitis, Palmo-Plantar Pustulosis, Plantar Warts, Pruritus, Psoriasis, Psoriasis Vulgaris (Plaque Psoriasis), Psoriasis of the scalp, Rash, Ringworm of the Skin, Ringworm of the scalp, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Seborrhoeic Dermatitis of the Scalp, Skin Infections, Bacterial, Verrucous Psoriasis, Warts, Calluses, Corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, Keratinization disorders, Scaling, Scaling of skin, Scalp seborrhea, Superficial Fungal skin infection, Keratolysis

How Gacozema works

Anthralin inhibits the proliferation of keratinocytes (epidermal skin cells), prevents the action of T-cells, and promotes cell differentiation, likely through mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, the production of free radicals may contribute to its anti-psoriatic effect . In vitro studies demonstrate that anthralin prolongs the prophase component of mitosis for keratinocytes and leukocytes . Prophase is the first step of mitosis, the process separating the duplicated genetic material carried in the nucleus of a parent cell into two identical daughter cells . In vivo studies demonstrate that anthralin blocks DNA synthesis and can increase the release of reactive oxygen species .

Anthralin is believed to normalize the rate of epidermal cell proliferation and keratinization by reducing the mitotic activity of the epidermal hyperplasia in psoriasis .

Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of anthralin have been demonstrated on both psoriatic and healthy skin. The anti-proliferative effects of anthralin are thought to be due to a combination of inhibition of DNA synthesis and its strong reducing properties. The effectiveness of anthralin as an anti-psoriatic agent is partly owed to its ability to promote lipid peroxidation and reduce the concentration of endothelial adhesion molecules, which are found to be elevated in psoriatic patients , .

Recent studies suggest that its ability to prevent T-lymphocyte activation and normalize keratinocyte differentiation may occur by a direct effect on mitochondria .

Information regarding the mechanism of action of boric acid in mediating its antibacterial or antifungal actions is limited. Boric acid inhibits biofilm formation and hyphal transformation of Candida albicans, which are critical virulence factors . In addition, arrest of fungal growth was observed with the treatment of boric acid .

Salicylic acid directly irreversibly inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 to decrease conversion of arachidonic acid to precursors of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Salicylate's use in rheumatic diseases is due to it's analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Salicylic acid is a key ingredient in many skin-care products for the treatment of acne, psoriasis, calluses, corns, keratosis pilaris, and warts. Salicylic acid allows cells of the epidermis to more readily slough off. Because of its effect on skin cells, salicylic acid is used in several shampoos used to treat dandruff. Salicylic acid is also used as an active ingredient in gels which remove verrucas (plantar warts). Salicylic acid competitively inhibits oxidation of uridine-5-diphosphoglucose (UDPG) with nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD) and noncompetitively with UDPG. It also competitively inhibits the transferring of the glucuronyl group of uridine-5-phosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA) to a phenolic acceptor. Inhibition of mucopoly saccharide synthesis is likely responsible for the slowing of wound healing with salicylates.

Dosage

Gacozema dosage

Apply on the skin 2 times daily. The preparation is applied to the lesion, covered with a dressing & left for 1 hour.

Side Effects

Local burning sensation & irritation, stains skin, hair and fabrics.

Toxicity

Some mild adverse effects include alterations in nail coloring, hair coloring, increase in photosensitivity, and skin irritation .

The most common side effects of anthralin are skin irritation and staining of nearby skin, nails, clothing, and other objects that come in contact with the treated patient. The incidence of irritation of psoriatic/surrounding healthy skin is higher in patients who leave anthralin on the skin without rinsing than in those who use short-contact therapy of 2 hours or less, followed by rinsing .

If the psoriatic plaques are well circumscribed, the surrounding normal skin may be protected by the use of a coating agent such as zinc oxide ointment. Anthralin should be applied cautiously to the face and intertriginous areas due to the risk of severe skin irritation .

There is no current evidence of any long-term anthralin toxicity related either to skin exposure or to systemic issues . Some long-term studies in mice have demonstrated anthralin to be tumorigenic in mouse skin. This carcinogenic potential has not been thoroughly evaluated. Tumorigenic and carcinogenic effects of anthralin have not been observed in humans at this time . Anthralin is classified as FDA pregnancy risk category C drug . It is not known if anthralin can cause fetal harm when administered during gestation. Because of the lack of evidential human data, anthralin should be used during pregnancy only when clearly required .

Acute oral LD50 is 2660 mg/kg in rat . Individuals are likely to be exposed to boric acid from industrial manufacturing or processing. Local tissue injury from boric acid exposure is likely due to caustic effects. Systemic effects from boric acid poisoning usually occur from multiple exposures over a period of days and involve gastrointestinal, dermal, CNS, and renal manifestations. Gastrointestinal toxicity include persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epigastric pain, hematemesis, and blue-green discoloration of the feces and vomit . Following the onset of GI symptoms, a characteristic intense generalized erythroderma follows . Management of mild to moderate toxicity should be supportive. In case of severe toxicity, dialysis may be required in addition to supportive treatment.

Oral rat LD50: 891 mg/kg. Inhalation rat LC50: > 900 mg/m3/1hr. Irritation: skin rabbit: 500 mg/24H mild. Eye rabbit: 100 mg severe. Investigated a mutagen and reproductive effector.

Precaution

Avoid contact of eyes & sensitive areas of skin.

Interaction

There are no known drug interactions and none well documented.

Volume of Distribution

Volume of distribution ranges from 0.17 to 0.5 L/kg in humans, where large amounts of boric acid are localized in brain, liver, and kidney .

The volume of distribution is about 170 mL/kg of body weight.

Elimination Route

Anthralin penetrates damaged skin and psoriatic lesions faster and to a greater extent than normal skin, likely due to increased vascularity of psoriatic lesions .

Boric acid is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, open wounds, and serous cavities but displays limited absorption in intact skin . Following intraperitoneal injection in mice, the peak concentration was reached in about 1.0-1.5 hr in the brain whereas the value was 0.5 hr in other tissues .

Half Life

According to human cases of poisoning, the elimination half-life of boric acid ranges from 13 to 24 hours .

Clearance

A case report of acute boric acid poisoning following oral ingestion of 21 g of boric acid presents the total body clearance of 0.99 L/h before hemodialysis .

Elimination Route

Regardless the route of administration, boric acid predominantly undergoes rapid renal excretion of >90% of total administered dose as unchanged form. Small amounts are also excreted into sweat, saliva, and feces. Following administration as ointment, urinary excretion of boric acid accounted for only 1% of the administered dose .

About 10% is excreted unchanged in the urine.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category - Not Classified. FDA has not yet classified the drug into a specified pregnancy category.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity, acute & pustular psoriasis.

Special Warning

Salicylic Acid is used in children over 2 years.

Acute Overdose

Symptoms: Burning and deep staining of the skin.

Management: Rinse first with water only and then wash at a temp not exceeding 30° C.

An overdose of Salicylic Acid topical is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose or if the medication has been ingested, call a poison control center or emergency room for advice.

Storage Condition

Store between 15-30°C. Protect from excessive heat.

Store at a temperature below 25° C.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Gacozema