Introduction
The drug Dermatop® is mainly sold as an ointment, cream or skin lotion, it contains the active ingredient prednicarbate. Prednicarbate belongs to the group of artificially produced glucocorticoids (steroid hormones) whose natural intermediates are formed in the adrenal cortex (e.g. cortisol). Dermatop® has strong anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-pruritic and anti-allergic effects.
It is generally used for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, for example neurodermatitis (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis. Dermatop®, which contains prednicarbate, acts as a so-called topical glucocorticoid, locally limited to the rubbed-in skin area. The drug must never be taken orally or administered intravenously; administration is strictly limited to external use (application to the skin).
Fields of application
The possible field of application of prednicarbate-containing drugs such as Dermatop® is exclusively limited to skin diseases and the effects of allergic reactions. The artificial glucocorticoid shows amazing results in the treatment of eczema. It is used for so-called contact exanthema, which often occurs in allergic reactions to nickel (nickel allergy).
Furthermore, it shows a soothing effect in the therapy of skin symptoms (toxic eczema) caused by toxins (toxic eczema). Neurodermatitis, an inflammatory skin disease, can also be optimally treated with Dermatop® and effectively alleviate the complaints of those affected. In addition, Dermatop® ointments and/or creams are used in many different ways for patients suffering from psoriasis vulgaris or lichen ruber. Dermatop® can also be successfully used in the treatment of the dermatological effects of the autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus.
Active ingredient and effect of Dermatop®
Among other things, the adrenal glands of the human body produce a hormone commonly known as “stress hormone”: cortisol. This hormone has many functions, all of which ultimately aim to keep the human body functioning in stressful situations: it wakes you up, leads to degradation processes that release energy and suppresses inflammatory reactions of the body. The active ingredient prednicarbate, which is the effective component of Dermatop cream and solution, is a highly effective derivative of this adrenal cortex hormone.
When active substances of the cortisone family are applied locally, the inflammatory reaction taking place there is suppressed by the body’s own signal paths. In this respect, cortisone is a very effective therapy for all inflammatory skin diseases and is also often prescribed by doctors. However, it is important not to use creams containing cortisone derivatives for too long a period of time as they lead in the long run to the so-called “cortisone skin”, a thinned-out skin with very limited elastic recovery. Furthermore, it should be noted that “cortisone creams” do not represent a causal treatment, but only alleviate the symptoms. The underlying disease may well break out again if the application of the cream is stopped.
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