Fumaric Acid Esters (fumaric + acid_ester)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Fumaric acid esters in psoriasis

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
Z. Fika
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Fumaric acid esters in severe psoriasis, including experience of use in combination with other systemic modalities

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2004
P. Balasubramaniam
Summary Background Fumaric acid esters (FAE) are used as a systemic treatment for severe psoriasis in Germany but there has been only very little published experience from the U.K. The potential for use in combination with other systemic drugs has not been explored. Objectives To present data relating to the efficacy of FAE in severe psoriasis and to examine the potential dose-sparing effect and safety issues when FAE are combined with other systemic agents. Methods We retrospectively analysed the records of patients who had received FAE for severe psoriasis either alone (in two cases) or along with other systemic medications (in 10 cases). We reviewed the efficacy of FAE and assessed whether dose reductions were achieved for other systemic drugs. Patients were monitored carefully for possible adverse effects. Results Of 12 patients treated with FAE one discontinued the drug very early, due to flushing, while on a very low dose. The other 11 patients all demonstrated an improvement in psoriasis after starting FAE. Nine patients received FAE in combination with other systemic therapies including ciclosporin, acitretin, hydroxyurea and methotrexate. Seven achieved useful overall reductions in the dose of the other drugs. In two patients severe psoriasis was controlled using FAE alone. The side-effect profile of FAE was similar to that previously reported. There was no evidence of drug interactions. Conclusions FAE appear effective and less toxic than other systemic treatments for psoriasis. FAE were used successfully in combination with other systemic agents and generally enabled the doses of the more hazardous drugs to be reduced. Extremely careful monitoring is required when using FAE in such combined regimens as experience is currently very limited. [source]


Fumaric acid esters in the management of severe psoriasis

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
L. Brewer
Summary Background., Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) offer an effective alternative to patients with psoriasis in whom other systemic agents are contraindicated or have failed. Objective., We assessed the efficacy and side effect profile of FAEs in a group of patients with psoriasis. Methods., A retrospective study was carried out on patients treated with FAEs over 21 months. Information was gathered from patients' notes. Dosage, response and side effects were recorded. Results., In total, 31 patients were included. The mean age was 46.8 years. All patients had been treated with other modalities and 61.5% had received previous systemic treatment. There was good to excellent response in 58.6% of patients. Subjective side-effects were common (87.1%), and lymphopenia occurred in 61.3%. The drug was not tolerated by one-fifth of patients. Conclusion., The relatively low toxicity and absence of hepatotoxicity makes FAEs a reasonable first-line systemic treatment in selected patients with difficult psoriasis. [source]


Shoe contact dermatitis from dimethyl fumarate: clinical manifestations, patch test results, chemical analysis, and source of exposure

CONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 5 2009
Ana Giménez-Arnau
Background: The methyl ester form of fumaric acid named dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an effective mould-growth inhibitor. Its irritating and sensitizing properties were demonstrated in animal models. Recently, DMF has been identified as responsible for furniture contact dermatitis in Europe. Objective: To describe the clinical manifestations, patch test results, shoe chemical analysis, and source of exposure to DMF-induced shoe contact dermatitis. Patients, Materials, and Methods: Patients with suspected shoe contact dermatitis were studied in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Patch test results obtained with their own shoe and the European baseline series, acrylates and fumaric acid esters (FAE), were recorded according to international guidelines. The content of DMF in shoes was analysed with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results: Acute, immediate irritant contact dermatitis and non-immunological contact urticaria were observed in eight adults and two children, respectively. All the adult patients studied developed a delayed sensitization demonstrated by a positive patch testing to DMF , 0.1% in pet. Cross-reactivity with other FAEs and acrylates was observed. At least 12 different shoe brands were investigated. The chemical analysis from the available shoes showed the presence of DMF. Conclusion: DMF in shoes was responsible for severe contact dermatitis. Global preventive measures for avoiding contact with DMF are necessary. [source]


Treatment of psoriasis with fumaric acid esters (FumadermŽ)

JOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, Issue 8 2007
Ulrich Mrowietz
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Consistent control of psoriasis by continuous long-term therapy: the promise of biological treatments

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
PCM Van De Kerkhof
Abstract Psoriasis is a chronic, incurable disease that frequently requires long-term treatment. Although many patients benefit from effective traditional systemic therapies, namely methotrexate, cyclosporin, retinoids and fumaric acid esters, and some patients achieve long-term disease control, unrestricted long-term administration is not recommended due to the potential for cumulative toxicity. In order to diminish the risk of toxicity, physicians have adopted various treatment approaches (e.g. rotational, sequential, intermittent, and combination). However, these approaches may not provide continuous disease control or a stable treatment regimen. The recent advent of targeted biological therapeutics such as etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, alefacept and efalizumab may offer physicians and their patients treatment options with improved safety profiles that may permit continuous disease control. [source]


Long-term safety aspects of systemic therapy with fumaric acid esters in severe psoriasis

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
J.J. Hoefnagel
Summary Background Therapy with fumaric acid esters (FAE) has been shown to be safe and effective in patients with severe psoriasis in several clinical studies with limited follow-up periods. In view of the chronic character of psoriasis, long-term safety aspects are of major importance in determining the suitability of a drug during prolonged periods of treatment. Objectives To investigate adverse events of therapy with systemic FAE with follow-up periods of up to 14 years, in order to determine safety aspects of their long-term use in patients with severe psoriasis. Methods Current and/or past therapeutic use of FAE was reviewed in 66 patients with severe psoriasis. Results Forty-one of 66 patients had received FAE for at least 1 year, and 12 of these 41 patients had received FAE for between 10 and 14 years. Adverse events were reported in 73% of the patients. These were usually mild and mainly consisting of flushing (55%), diarrhoea (42%), nausea (14%), tiredness (14%) and stomach complaints (12%). A relative lymphocytopenia was observed in 76% of patients during therapy with FAE, resulting in a permanent discontinuation of therapy with FAE in four patients. A transient eosinophilia and moderate liver enzyme elevations were observed in 14% and 25% of patients, respectively. Conclusions The present study indicates that FAE can be considered as a safe long-term treatment in patients with severe psoriasis. [source]