Dermatopharmacology and Topical Therapy Flashcards

Which systemic medication requires monthly pregnancy tests and two forms of contraception due to severe teratogenicity?

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.

Dupilumab (Dupixent) works by blocking the receptor for which cytokines in atopic dermatitis?

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.

What is the most serious adverse effect associated with long-term use of high-potency topical corticosteroids?

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.

IL-17A inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab) are approved for which dermatological condition?

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.

Dapsone is used in dermatology primarily for which two conditions?

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.

Which topical antifungal works by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis through blockade of lanosterol 14α-demethylase?

Answer: Ketoconazole

Azole antifungals like ketoconazole inhibit cytochrome P450-dependent lanosterol 14α-demethylase, blocking ergosterol synthesis and disrupting the fungal cell membrane.