Acriderm for psoriasis: ointment, cream

Psoriasis is a complex skin disease that requires constant attention from the patient, does not forgive ignoring the problem, or careless treatment. The arsenal of the fight against the disease has accumulated many techniques, consisting of both the use of complex treatment methods (medicinal, homeopathic, folk, sanatorium-resort), and the use of external agents for local use. Today, the most effective of them are hormonal external drugs. Akriderm for psoriasis is one of such means, based on hormones of the adrenal cortex.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Indications Acriderma for psoriasis

Indications for the use of Akriderm for psoriasis are pronounced skin manifestations in the form of redness, raised bumps above the skin surface, peeling, resembling wax plaques or scales. Their appearance and spread to new healthy areas of the skin is accompanied by itching, burning, and other unpleasant sensations. Psoriasis is a chronic, incurable disease today with stages of remission and relapse. For external effects on the lesions of the skin, ointments, gels, creams are used in order to soften the thickened skin, cause an anti-inflammatory effect, and relieve itching. Hormonal external treatments for psoriasis give a quick result, although they have a number of contraindications. Usually they start with less active and simple drugs, such as prednisolone, hydrocortisone. But at more severe stages of psoriasis, they resort to potent hormonal drugs, such as Akriderm.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Release form

Akriderm is available in a white or light cream ointment or white cream. The aluminum tube that contains the drug contains either 15 or 30 grams of ointment or cream. The tubes are packed in a cardboard box. The main active ingredient of Akriderm is betamethasone. There are also other forms of the drug, with anti-inflammatory and antifungal elements. Thus, Akriderm Genta is a combination of betamethasone with an antibiotic, Akriderm GK with an antifungal agent, Akriderm SK with salicylic acid.

Akriderm SK for psoriasis

Akriderm SK for psoriasis is indicated for external use, taking into account its softening effect on the keratinized layers of the skin. This allows betamethasone, which is part of the ointment, to penetrate deeper into it and act more effectively on the lesions. This characteristic is provided by the effect of salicylic acid, its antiseptic and exfoliating properties (a gram of ointment contains 30 mg of salicylic acid).

Akriderm GK for psoriasis

Akriderm GK for psoriasis is another combination of betamethasone with gentamicin (1 mg in 1 g of ointment), which provides the antibacterial effect of the drug, and clotrimazole (10 mg), which has an antifungal effect due to the negative impact on the production of the main component of the fungal cell membrane. The indication for the use of the drug are complications in psoriasis caused by various infections.

Akriderm ointment for psoriasis

Akriderm ointment for psoriasis is packed in a tube, of uniform dense consistency, light color, has a weak specific smell. The action of the drug is aimed at eliminating foci of inflammation, itching, exudative phenomena.

Akriderm cream for psoriasis

Such form of drug release as creams assumes the use of oils or other fats in its basis. Akriderm cream for psoriasis is a remedy, lighter in texture than ointment, which in addition to betamethasone contains such auxiliary substances as Vaseline, wax, paraffin, etc. The direction of action is the same as ointments: it prevents the proliferation of affected skin tissue, has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, anti-edematous effect.

Pharmacodynamics

The main action of the drug is aimed at relieving the symptoms of psoriasis, improving the quality of life of patients. The pharmacodynamics of Akriderm consists of its effect on leukocytes in order to reduce their accumulation, in inhibiting the release of enzymes that can damage the cell membrane. The use of the drug prevents the development of the "trigger mechanism" of inflammation, reduces the permeability of blood vessels and tissues, the growth of lesions, the formation of edematous phenomena. The hormonal component of Akriderm provides a strong and rapid effect of use, cleansing the skin and relieving itching, burning, pain.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of Akriderm indicate that the drug enters the bloodstream insignificantly due to the cutaneous route of its introduction into the body. The application of occlusive dressings that prevent air penetration significantly increases the ability of the drug to enter the body and the development of side effects, but in the case of using Akriderm for psoriasis, dressings are not recommended by the instructions.

Dosing and administration

Akriderm for psoriasis is intended for external use. The ointment or cream is applied in a thin layer with light rubbing movements to the damaged areas twice a day, making sure that the drug does not get on the mucous surfaces, especially the eyes. If the lesions are large, then it is necessary to start with a small surface, gradually increasing the area. The duration of treatment can last from two to four weeks. Therapy of facial surfaces with Akriderm should not be long (up to a week), since the skin of the face is more sensitive and delicate, and its thinning and atrophy may occur. How often can Akriderm be used for psoriasis? During the year, you can repeatedly resort to treatment with this remedy, but with the permission of a doctor, in order to exclude addiction.

Use Acriderma for psoriasis during pregnancy

Since Akridem is a corticosteroid (hormonal) drug, the use of Akriderm for psoriasis during pregnancy is not recommended. If there is an urgent need to use the drug, the doctor must assess the degree of risk of such a step and the prevalence of benefits over negative effects on the body of the woman and the fetus. If it is considered appropriate to receive therapy, the time period of exposure to the drug should be short and the doses moderate.

Contraindications

Contraindications for use, first of all, are the person's age (not prescribed to children under one year) and allergy to betamethasone or other components of the drug. Also, the drug cannot be used by patients suffering from dermatological diseases of fungal, viral or bacterial nature (syphilis, chickenpox, herpes, tuberculosis of the skin, etc.). In case of malignant skin diseases, open wounds, trophic ulcers, acne vulgaris, birthmarks, the use of acridem is also not recommended. The drug should be prescribed with caution to patients with diabetes, tuberculosis, eye diseases: glaucoma, cataracts. When using the product on the face, there is a risk of atrophic changes, so the course of treatment should not exceed 5 days.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Side effects Acriderma for psoriasis

Side effects of Akriderm in psoriasis may manifest as skin rashes, itching, irritation, excessive facial hair in women, pigment spots, etc. If the drug has been used for a long time and bandages that do not allow air to pass through were used, atrophy and maceration (swelling) of the skin, prickly heat, dilation of small blood vessels in the skin, hair growth in women according to the male type (beard and moustache) may occur. With prolonged exposure of betamethasone to skin surfaces, gastritis, ulcers on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, detection of sugar in the urine, changes in the adrenal glands, and increased blood pressure may occur. In case of any deviations from the usual state, you should stop treatment with Akriderm and consult a doctor to clarify what is happening. He will assess the situation and, possibly, prescribe an alternative treatment.

[ 10 ]

Overdose

The probability of acute overdose of betamethasone is very low, but chronic overdose is quite possible. It should not be forgotten that this is a hormonal drug containing hormones of the adrenal cortex. Its long-term use can cause an excess of these hormones in the body (hypercorticism syndrome), and this is fraught with the development of diabetes mellitus, muscle atrophy and structures of all organs. In such cases, therapy with ointment or cream should be discontinued gradually, without abruptly interrupting treatment. Interactions with other drugs have not been determined.

Storage conditions

Both the ointment and the Akriderm cream should be stored out of the reach of children, at a temperature of 15 to 25°C, and should not be frozen.

Shelf life

The shelf life of the cream is 4 years, the ointment – 2 years.

Reviews

Most patients note the positive therapeutic effect of the drug, which leads to the onset of long-term remission. Many after 2-3 weeks of use felt a decrease in outbreaks of rashes, a decrease in itching, swelling, peeling, and burning of the skin. The positive aspects of Akriderm include ease of use, different forms of release of the product, the absence of a strong odor, and an affordable price. Some patients in their reviews indicate a quick addiction to Akriderm and a gradual decrease in the effectiveness of treatment. There are also patients who experienced adverse reactions. Unfortunately, Akriderm has not become a panacea for psoriasis, which patients expect, but it is able to alleviate the severity of the patients' conditions.