Dermatologist Certificate Dermatopharmacology and Topical Therapy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which systemic medication requires monthly pregnancy tests and two forms of contraception due to severe teratogenicity?
- Isotretinoin (Correct answer)
- Methotrexate
- Dapsone
- Hydroxychloroquine
Correct answer: Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic, causing severe fetal malformations, and requires enrollment in the iPLEDGE program with mandatory monthly pregnancy testing and dual contraception.
Question 2: Dupilumab (Dupixent) works by blocking the receptor for which cytokines in atopic dermatitis?
- IL-4 and IL-13 (Correct answer)
- IL-17A and IL-17F
- IL-12 and IL-23
- TNF-alpha and IL-1
Correct answer: IL-4 and IL-13
Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the IL-4Rα subunit shared by IL-4 and IL-13 receptors, inhibiting the Th2 inflammatory cascade central to atopic dermatitis.
Question 3: What is the most serious adverse effect associated with long-term use of high-potency topical corticosteroids?
- Skin atrophy with telangiectasias and striae (Correct answer)
- Systemic hypertension
- Adrenal suppression in adults
- Contact sensitization
Correct answer: Skin atrophy with telangiectasias and striae
Prolonged use of high-potency topical steroids causes skin atrophy, striae distensae, telangiectasias, and purpura due to reduced collagen synthesis and thinning of all skin layers.
Question 4: IL-17A inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab) are approved for which dermatological condition?
- Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (Correct answer)
- Atopic dermatitis
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Alopecia areata
Correct answer: Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis
Secukinumab and ixekizumab target IL-17A, a key downstream cytokine in the IL-23/Th17 axis, and are FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with excellent efficacy.
Question 5: Dapsone is used in dermatology primarily for which two conditions?
- Dermatitis herpetiformis and leprosy (Correct answer)
- Acne and rosacea
- Psoriasis and eczema
- Vitiligo and alopecia areata
Correct answer: Dermatitis herpetiformis and leprosy
Dapsone is the drug of choice for dermatitis herpetiformis and is a key component of multidrug therapy for leprosy, working through anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial mechanisms.
Question 6: Which topical antifungal works by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis through blockade of lanosterol 14α-demethylase?
- Ketoconazole (Correct answer)
- Terbinafine
- Ciclopirox
- Nystatin
Correct answer: Ketoconazole
Azole antifungals like ketoconazole inhibit cytochrome P450-dependent lanosterol 14α-demethylase, blocking ergosterol synthesis and disrupting the fungal cell membrane.
Dermatologist Certificate Dermatopharmacology and Topical Therapy 2
Which systemic medication requires monthly pregnancy tests and two forms of contraception due to severe teratogenicity?