CDT Dermatologic Pharmacology & Medications Flashcards

What does the term 'vehicle' refer to in topical dermatologic formulations?

Answer: The base that carries and delivers the active ingredient

The vehicle is the base formulation (cream, ointment, gel, lotion, foam) that carries the active ingredient and determines how it is delivered to the skin.

Which topical vehicle provides the greatest occlusion and is best suited for thick, dry skin lesions?

Answer: Ointment

Ointments are oil-based, highly occlusive vehicles that trap moisture and maximize drug penetration, making them ideal for thick, dry conditions like psoriasis plaques.

What is the primary purpose of applying a topical corticosteroid under occlusion (covered with plastic wrap)?

Answer: To enhance drug absorption and penetration into the skin

Occlusive dressings increase local temperature and hydration, enhancing topical steroid absorption up to 100-fold by driving the drug deeper into skin layers.

Which topical medication class is contraindicated near the eyes due to risk of increased intraocular pressure?

Answer: Topical corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids used near the eyes can penetrate ocular tissues and elevate intraocular pressure, potentially causing steroid-induced glaucoma with chronic use.

What is the primary dermatologic use of fluorouracil (5-FU) cream?

Answer: Treating actinic keratoses and superficial skin cancers

5-FU (Efudex) is a topical chemotherapy agent that selectively destroys rapidly dividing abnormal cells, used for actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinoma.

Which systemic antifungal medications are used to treat onychomycosis (nail fungus)?

Answer: Terbinafine or fluconazole

Terbinafine and fluconazole are oral antifungals used for onychomycosis because topical agents cannot adequately penetrate the nail plate to reach the infection.