Drug interactions between common dermatological medications and the oral anti-COVID-19 agents nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and molnupiravir.

INTRODUCTION: The oral antiviral agents nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) and molnupiravir are used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection in outpatients. However, the use of NMV/r is complicated by significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with frequently prescribed medications. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the possible risk of DDIs, given the emergence of COVID-19 variants and the widespread use of oral COVID-19 treatments. We reviewed available data on DDIs between NMV/r, molnupiravir and common dermatological medications; summarised the potential side effects; and suggest strategies for safe COVID-19 treatment. METHOD: A systematic review using PubMed was conducted on data published from inception to 18 July 2022 to find clinical outcomes of DDIs between NMV/r, molnupiravir and dermatological medications. We also searched the Lexicomp, Micromedex, Liverpool COVID-19 Drug Interactions database and the National Institutes of Health COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines for interactions between NMV/r and molnupiravir, and commonly used dermatological medications. RESULTS: NMV/r containing the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor ritonavir has DDIs with other medications similarly dependent on CYP3A4 metabolism. Dermatological medications that have DDIs with NMV/r include rifampicin, clofazimine, clarithromycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, bilastine, rupatadine, dutasteride, ciclosporin, cyclophosphamide, tofacitinib, upadacitinib, colchicine and systemic glucocorticoids. With no potential DDI identified yet in in vitro studies, molnupiravir may be an alternative COVID-19 therapy in patients taking medications that have complicated interactions with NMV/r, which cannot be stopped or dose adjusted. CONCLUSION: NMV/r has significant DDIs with many common dermatological medications, which may require temporary discontinuation, dosage adjustment or substitution with other anti-COVID-19 agents such as molnupiravir.

Hidradenitis suppurativa: racial and socioeconomic considerations in management.

Studies on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have found an increased prevalence of HS in skin of color and lower socioeconomic status patients, although the reasons for these differences are unclear. Demographic and therapeutic studies of HS originate primarily from developed Western countries, and data from low- and medium-income countries (LMIC) remain comparatively limited. In this review paper, we discuss differences in clinical presentation and comorbidities between racial and socioeconomic subpopulations and describe the genetic, biomedical, psychosocial, and ecological factors that may explain the associations between HS and skin of color and socioeconomic status. We highlight biomedical treatment considerations for LMIC including cost effective and less complex treatment strategies. We touch on population-based strategies to address the social determinants of health in HS management and discuss additional challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.