CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- SkinMedica, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology, announced the availability of the Desonate (desonide) Gel 0.05% 120g TwinPack for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Desonate is a low-potency prescription topical steroid formulated in Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences' proprietary water-based Hydrogel vehicle.

The new economical Desonate TwinPack contains two 60-gram tubes of Desonate Gel for greater coverage of affected areas during the cold-weather season when atopic dermatitis tends to flare most. With the Desonate TwinPack, patients have the added convenience of keeping their medication in two accessible locations. With one prescription, patients can receive twice as much therapy for the same pharmacy co-pay as the smaller tube.

"The Desonate TwinPack provides added value and flexibility to an already effective Desonate therapy," said Dr. Rebecca Smith, Pediatric Dermatologist from a Charlotte, NC suburb. "I have many younger patients cared for by parents in more than one household, and having two tubes of Desonate allows both households to keep Desonate on hand when flares occur. With the new TwinPack, Desonate with Hydrogel continues to provide effective therapy in a cosmetically acceptable, well tolerated formulation."

Clinical studies with Desonate show significant reduction in itching and other symptoms of atopic dermatitis, and Desonate is clinically proven to moisturize and help skin maintain essential hydration by improving the skin barrier.

Additional Information about Desonate

As with other corticosteroids, therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved. Unless directed by a physician, the treated skin area should not be bandaged so as to be occlusive. Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids, including Desonate Gel, has produced HPA axis suppression, for which pediatric patients are more susceptible.

In clinical trials, the most frequent adverse events included headache (2%), application site burning (1%), rash (1%), and application site pruritus (<1%). The safety of Desonate Gel has not been established beyond 4 weeks of use. Desonate Gel is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation. Desonate Gel is not indicated for the treatment of diaper dermatitis. Desonate Gel is for topical use only. Desonate Gel is not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use.

About Desonate

Desonate is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients aged 3 months and older for up to 4 consecutive weeks. Formulated with desonide, the leading low-potency corticosteroid used in dermatology, Desonate is the first and only treatment for atopic dermatitis delivered via Hydrogel technology. The versatile formulation can be used on small and large affected areas and is free of alcohol, fragrance, or surfactants that can be irritating or drying to the skin.

Desonate is jointly promoted by SkinMedica and Galderma Laboratories, L.P.

About Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis affects more than 15 million patients, resulting in skin rash, redness, swelling, crusting, and scaling. The disease affects nearly 20% of infants and young children, some of which continue to experience symptoms as adults. The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown; however, genetics and environmental factors are considered key factors. Topical corticosteroids are the gold standard of treatment for atopic dermatitis, with more than $1 billion in prescriptions written annually by US physicians for inflammatory dermatoses.

For More Information on Desonate

For information about Desonate, including its approved labeling, please visit http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm, or contact SkinMedica Customer Service at (877) 944-1412.

About SkinMedica

SkinMedica is a privately held pharmaceutical company marketing both prescription and aesthetic dermatology products. SkinMedica's Desonate(R) (desonide) Gel 0.05% is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis; EpiQuin(R) Micro (4% hydroquinone) cream is indicated for melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation; VANIQA(R) (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, 13.9%, is the only FDA-approved prescription product for the treatment of unwanted facial hair in women; and NeoBenz(R) Micro Cream and NeoBenz(R) Micro SD (single dose) are the only benzoyl peroxide prescription products that contain a patented gradual-release formulation of benzoyl peroxide to treat acne. The company's full line of physician-dispensed skin care products includes TNS Recovery Complex(R) with NouriCel-MD(R) to help improve the health and appearance of aging skin. SkinMedica is based in Carlsbad, California. For more information, visit http://www.skinmedica.com.

SkinMedica(R), Desonate(R), EpiQuin(R) Micro, NeoBenz(R) Micro, NouriCel-MD(R), TNS Recovery Complex(R), and VANIQA(R) are registered trademarks of SkinMedica, Inc.

     CONTACT:
     Michelle Saunders
     Vice President, Pharmaceutical Marketing
     (760) 448-3673
     msaunders@skinmedica.com

SOURCE SkinMedica, Inc.
01/08/2008 05:00