TRENTON, N.J. U.S. regulators have approved the first powerful, injected medicine to treat serious cases of the skin condition eczema. The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved Dupixent for moderate or severe eczema, which causes red, fiercely itchy rashes on the face, arms and legs. In three studies of the drug including a total of 2,119 participants, one-third to two-thirds achieved clear or nearly clear skin. About 4 in 10 had itching decrease sharply, bringing better sleep and reducing anxiety and depression. Dupixent will have an initial list price of $37,000 a year, according to Paris, France-based Sanofi SA and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals of Tarrytown, New York, which developed the drug. Eczema treatments generally have been limited to topical medications, steroid creams, moisturizers and ultraviolet light, plus antihistamines to relieve itching. Those work fairly well for mild eczema, but not the severe form, also called atopic dermatitis. Its also the most common form. Wire reports Eczema often begins in young children, and most grow out of it, said Dr. Lisa Beck, a dermatology professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York. But for other patients, the condition persists throughout adulthood, tormenting patients with relentless itching that … Continue reading →

A California woman died in March after being given an IV of turmeric, the San Diego County Medical Examiner confirmed Thursday. NBC 7 reported that Jade Erick, 30, went to see a naturopathic practitioner for treatment of her eczema on March 10. She was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, where she reacted badly to the IV. Dr. Kim Kelly was reportedly administering a 250 mL infusion of turmeric, an Indian spice that has several uses in natural healing. Erick became unresponsive after just 5 mL of the infusion. Dr. Kelly immediately called emergency services and gave Erick CPR while he waited for them to arrive. The report said that woman was sent to the ICU when she arrived at the hospital. The autopsy report read that Erick was diagnosed with severe anoxic brain injury secondary to cardiopulmonary arrest, most likely due to turmeric infusion. Erick died 6 days after she was admitted to the hospital. The medical examiners report indicated that Erick had several food allergies to soy protein, lactose and gluten, as well as hypothyroidism and pre-diabetes. Her mother reportedly told authorities that her daughter never had an infusion of turmeric before, but she had taken the spice … Continue reading →

The U.S Food and Drug Administration has just approved Dupixent, a new treatment option for people with moderate-to-severe eczema. Dupixent works as an injection under the skin, andwas developed for patients whose condition can not becontrolled by topical treatments. However, it also gives patients who would typically use a topical treatmenta break from applying creamsto the skin multiple times per day. Eczema is a condition when patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked and rough. Most people outgrow the condition as children, but some continue to endure symptoms into adulthood. The causes of eczema are unknown, however it is believed to develop due to both genetic factors such as having parents with atopic diseases and environmental factors such as irritants, allergens, microbes, extreme temperatures, food, stress and hormones. Dupixent was approved by the FDA after going through 3 clinical trials that included roughly 2,100 adults with moderate-to-severe eczema, whose symptoms could not be controlled by topical treatments. After 16 weeks, those who received Dupixent had clearer skin and less itching than those who received the placebo. The most common side effects of the drug included injection site reactions, cold sores in the mouth and lips, and eye/eyelid inflammation. The … Continue reading →