DermHelpCentral

Topical Fluorouracil for Actinic Cheilitis

Topical (5-fluorouracil [5-FU]) as a 5% solution was used to treat isolated actinic keratoses of the lips as well as diffuse actinic damage of the lower lip. Although producing considerable temporary discomfort, final results proved excellent, with recurrences in only two of 12 patients treated. Preliminary biopsy of suspicious infiltrated areas is mandatory, as is careful follow-up to ensure complete healing. Topical fluorouracil is an alternative to surgical excision of the vermilion border of the lip in those patients with severe diffuse actinic damage of the lips.

Full article: Download Topical 5FU for Cheilitis

 

When Are Expired Drugs Truly Expired?

If you have wondered what you should do with expired medicines — whether and how you should get rid of them, if they’re unsafe to use or whether some might still work perfectly well; this article from the July 7, 2022 NY Times will help you to gain some insight.

Download Can You Use Expired Medicine - The New York Times

Oral Minoxidil for Alopecia

A growing group of dermatologists is offering low-dose minoxidil pills, the treatment remains relatively unknown to most patients and many doctors. It has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this purpose and so is prescribed off-label — a common practice in dermatology.

It is used for. male and female pattern hair loss and also for telogen effluvium.  At the low doses employed, it is safe and has few side-effects.

Here is the NY Times article on this treatment: Download An Old Medicine Remedies Hair Loss for Pennies a Day Doctors Say - The New York Times