Tocilizumab Treatment in COVID-19 Patients: Comparing Cutaneous Disease and Adverse Drug Effects.

Actemra (tocilizumab) received emergency use authorization for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in June 2021. Literature has linked numerous cutaneous adverse effects to tocilizumab. In this current survey, investigators reviewed and compared these adverse effects to the common cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19. While similarities in patient presentation exist, important distinctions are made to aid dermatologists in their clinical diagnosis.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(12):e42-e43.     doi:10.36849/JDD.6532e.

Nirmatrelvir-ritonivir, COVID-19, and possible adverse cutaneous reactions.

Nirmatrelvir-ritonivir (Paxlovid) recently received emergency use authorization for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Literature has linked numerous cutaneous adverse effects to nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, the copackaged tablets within Paxlovid. A review and comparison of these adverse effects to the common cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 is provided. Numerous drug-to-drug interactions exist between nirmatrelvir-ritonivir and commonly-used medications within dermatology.

Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data in dermatologic studies and opportunities for inclusion.

Dermatologists serve a vast array of patients with unique backgrounds. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) designated members of sexual and gender minorities as underrepresented in scholarly literature. Our study examines the past 10 years of studies published in highly-cited dermatologic journals, surveying each study for common data collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in dermatological studies. We found representation of sexual and gender minorities to be increasing in dermatological studies but recommend that SOGI data be collected regularly just as any other common variable in dermatological patient studies.

Social Media as a Medium for Dermatologic Education.

Purpose of Review: We explore the utility of social media platforms as educational tools in dermatology, providing a summary of how these sites are used by the public and dermatologists alike, and demonstrating ways these findings may be applied for educational purposes. Recent Findings: Over half of the world's population utilizes social media platforms. More recently, these platforms have increasingly been used for educational purposes. In the field of dermatology, a large portion of the educational content is coming from users with no formal medical or dermatologic training. Summary: Each of the top five social media platforms in the world (Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook) has unique qualities which people may utilize to educate fellow users. As more of the population seeks online health information and education, it is important that dermatologists, while taking ethical considerations into account, become more comfortable facilitating educational content on social media.

Hydroxychloroquine Alternatives for Chronic Disease: Response to a Growing Shortage Amid the Global COVID-19 Pandemic.

With the emergence of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, investigators worldwide are scrambling to identify appropriate treatment modalities, develop accurate testing, and produce a vaccine. To date, effective treatment remains elusive. Chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ), well-known antimalarial drugs effective in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, porphyria cutanea tarda, and chronic Q fever, are currently under investigation. The United States Food and Drug Administration recently issued an Emergency Use Authorization for CQ and HCQ use in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With spikes in HCQ use and demand, ethical considerations encompassing appropriate use, patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, and distributive justice abound. As drug experts, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to advocate for patients with chronic conditions necessitating HCQ use, assist in the appropriate prescribing of HCQ for COVID-19, and ensure patients and health care professionals are continually educated during this public health crisis. This review highlights the worldwide pandemic, describes appropriate HCQ use for chronic conditions, highlights available alternatives, and deliberates evolving ethical questions. With assistance from colleagues, state boards of pharmacy, and national organizations, pharmacists ensure the just distribution of valuable pharmaceuticals to patients having COVID-19 while supporting the needs of patients requiring HCQ for chronic conditions.