Skilarence (dimethyl fumarate) is a prescription medication used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It is a fumaric acid ester and works by reducing inflammation and cell proliferation, which helps to improve symptoms and reduce the severity of the disease. Skilarence was developed by Almirall, a pharmaceutical company based in Spain, and was first approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2016.
What is plaque psoriasis?
Plaque psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the skin cells to multiply rapidly, resulting in thick, scaly patches of skin. The condition is caused by an overactive immune system, and the symptoms can be triggered by stress, infections, or injuries to the skin.
How does Skilarence work?
Skilarence works by reducing inflammation and cell proliferation in the affected skin cells, which helps to improve symptoms and reduce the severity of the disease. It is taken orally and is believed to have a direct anti-inflammatory effect on the skin cells.
Clinical trials for Skilarence
The approval of Skilarence by the EMA was based on several clinical trials, including the Phase III BRIDGE study, which enrolled 740 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Skilarence or a placebo for 16 weeks, followed by a 32-week open-label extension phase. The study found that patients who received Skilarence experienced significant improvements in their skin condition compared to those who received the placebo.
Side effects of Skilarence
The most common side effects of Skilarence include flushing, gastrointestinal symptoms, and a decrease in white blood cell count. Other potential side effects include headache, allergic reactions, and kidney problems. Patients should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience symptoms such as fever or difficulty breathing.
Skilarence and other medications
Patients who are taking Skilarence should not take other fumaric acid esters or other medications that suppress the immune system. Skilarence may also interact with certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors, and patients should discuss their medication list with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Conclusion
Skilarence (dimethyl fumarate) is a medication used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It works by reducing inflammation and cell proliferation in the affected skin cells. The approval of Skilarence by the EMA was based on several clinical trials, which demonstrated its effectiveness in improving symptoms. The most common side effects of Skilarence include flushing, gastrointestinal symptoms, and a decrease in white blood cell count. Patients should also be aware of potential interactions with other medications and should discuss their medication list with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
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