Macular Amyloidosis Medication

  • Author: Sultan Al-Khenaizan, MBBS, FRCP(C); Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 24, 2012
 

Medication Summary

The goal of pharmacotherapy is to reduce morbidity.

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Antihistamines

Class Summary

These agents act by competitive inhibition of histamine at the H1 receptor. They may control itching by blocking effects of endogenously released histamine.

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Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)

 

Competes with histamine or H1 receptor sites on effector cells in blood vessels and respiratory tract.

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Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Belix)

 

For symptomatic relief of pruritus caused by endogenous release of histamine.

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Topical anti-inflammatory agents

Class Summary

This industrial solvent has been used with mixed results.

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Dimethyl sulfoxide (Rimso-50)

 

May help relieve symptoms. DMSO, an oxidation product of dimethyl sulfide, is an exceptional solvent possessing a number of commercial uses. Not an FDA-approved indication.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Sultan Al-Khenaizan, MBBS, FRCP(C)  Consulting Staff, Departments of Dermatology and Internal Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Saudi Arabia

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Catharine Lisa Kauffman, MD, FACP  Georgetown Dermatology and Georgetown Dermpath

Catharine Lisa Kauffman, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Royal Society of Medicine, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Warren R Heymann, MD  Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Warren R Heymann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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Reddish brown patch on the back characteristic of macular amyloidosis. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD, and reviewed by Ross Levy, MD.
Another patient with macular amyloidosis on the back. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD, and reviewed by Ross Levy, MD.
Reticulated pattern of pigmentation on the shoulder of a patient with macular amyloidosis. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD, and reviewed by Ross Levy, MD.
Close-up of the above patient's eruption. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD, and reviewed by Ross Levy, MD.
 
 
 
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