ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the content determination method of crotamiton. METHODS: The quantitative mass balance method, HPLC external standard method and nuclear magnetic resonance (QNMR) were used to determine the content of crotamiton, respectively.The accuracy of the three methods was evaluated. RESULTS: The contents of crotamiton were 99.2%, 102.9% and 99.1% respectively as determined by the three different methods. CONCLUSION: Because the ultraviolet absorption coefficients of cis- and trans-crotamiton might be different, the current pharmacopoeia method, ie, using integrated peak areas to calculate the content, is questionable. QNMR method can measure the contents of cis- and trans-crotamiton respectively, so it can be a complementary method to establish the reference standard.
ABSTRACT
Scabies is one of the most common world-wide arthropod-born diseases in both humans and animals caused by the "itch" mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The incidence of scabies has shown a tendency to increase for the last several years in Korea. The previous peak incidence in Korea was between the early 1970s and early 1980s. A substantial part of the cyclic resurgence of scabies has been considered the result of inexperience and indifference of medical doctors toward the disease. The recent resurgence is presumed to be derived from not only indifference of the doctors but also an increase in elderly patients admitted to nursing homes and eldercare hospitals. Scraping using mineral oil for scabies patients is a very simple and effective method for definite diagnosis. A new diagnostic method using a dermoscope is also effective, especially for very young patients. Lindane and crotamiton are two available antiscabietic preparations in Korea. Crotamiton is less effective, while infants and pregnant women should not use lindane. In conclusion, medical personnel should be alert coping with the resurgence of scabies, and it is strongly suggested that other antiscabietic drugs such as permethrin, ivermectin, etc. should be made available for resistant patients in the near future in the Republic of Korea.