Schools of Pharmacology.

Schools in Pharmacology is a new feature in that will appear periodically. It will explicate the dermatologic uses and side effects of new medications and devices. It follows medications mentioned in the Pipeline Previews into their approval and use in clinical practice.

Erlotinib, Voriconazole, Omalizumab, Tigecycline, and Zeno

This article will provide a brief review of 5 medications and devices approved in the last several years that touch on cutaneous medicine, which have not been extensively reviewed in the dermatology literature. The following medications and devices will be discussed (1) Zeno--a new over-the-counter device used to treat acne, (2) erlotinib (Tarceva) an oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer which causes an acneiform eruption and whose eruptions tracks its efficacy, (3) voriconazole (Vfend) is a broad-spectrum azole antifungal agent, which can treat deep fungal infections and induce cutaneous eruptions and photosensitivity (4) omalizumab (Xolair) a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody approved to treat asthma, and (5) tigecycline (Tygacil), a novel intravenous antibiotic with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity that can treat complicated skin structure infections even if caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. Each of these medications and devices is important for dermatologists to be aware of because of their cutaneous uses and/or side effects.

Zeno

Zeno is an acne clearing device that is available without a prescription. It is a hand-held, portable electronic medical device approved by the FDA in 2005 to treat patients with mild to moderate acne. (1,2) The treatment tip is made from a biocompatible material and delivers a specific low-level heat to the individual acne blemish. The device is powered by rechargeable AAA nickel-metal hydride batteries. In an FDA-reviewed, controlled clinical trial, 90% of…