Hydrocortisone Iodoquinol Cream and Interferon Gamma

• Generic Name: hydrocortisone / iodoquinol topical
• Dosage Forms: cream
• Other Brand Names: Dermazene, Vytone

Principally used in combination with hydrocortisone for the topical treatment of subacute and chronic dermatoses.

National Research Council and FDA state that iodoquinol/hydrocortisone combinations are “possibly” effective for topical treatment of eczema (e.g., impetiginized eczema, nummular eczema, infantile eczema, nuchal eczema) and dermatitis (e.g., contact, atopic, endogenous chronic infectious, stasis, localized or disseminated neurodermatitis). Also may be effective for treatment of bacterial dermatoses, mycotic dermatoses [e.g., tinea (capitis, cruris, corporis, pedis), pyoderma, chronic eczematoid otitis externa, acne urticata, lichen simplex chronicus, anogenital pruritus (vulvae, scroti, ani), folliculitis, moniliasis, and intertrigo. .

Has been used topically in a suitable dermatologic vehicle alone or in combination with coal tar in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections of the skin.

Has been used in the treatment of diaper rash (diaper dermatitis); however, use in children currently is not recommended. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Has been used as a shampoo (no longer commercially available in the US) for control of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp; however, relapse usually occurs when the drug is discontinued.

• Generic Name: interferon gamma-1b
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Actimmune

Reduction of the frequency and severity of serious infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Treatment to delay the time to disease progression in patients with severe, malignant osteopetrosis (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).

Interferon gamma-1b was investigated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with mild-to-moderate lung function impairment in the INSPIRE study; the study was terminated early when interim data analysis indicated lack of benefit in patients receiving the drug. Interim analysis also indicated that 14.5% of patients receiving interferon gamma 1-b died compared with 12.7% of those receiving placebo.

Interferon gamma-1b is not approved for use in patients with IPF. FDA suggests that health-care professionals should discuss the results of this trial with their patients receiving the drug for IPF and carefully consider whether they should continue to receive treatment with interferon gamma-1b.