Abstract
Adverse dermatologic reactions are the major limitation in the use of transdermal clonidine, and have been reported in up to 50% of patients studied. One hundred thirteen of 246 patients (46%), using or having used transdermal clonidine, responded to a questionnaire that they experienced a skin rash under clonidine patches. In a prospective, internally controlled, blind study, nine men aged 54 to 83 with documented allergic contact dermatitis to transdermal clonidine were patch tested. An alumina, magnesia, and simethicone suspension, 0.1 mL, was applied in a thin coat to each of two sites on the back of each patient and allowed to dry. Transdermal clonidine (Cataprestransdermal therapeutic system [TTS]-1) and a placebo patch were applied to each suspension-coated site, and the same patches were applied to two sites without a suspension application. Skin reactions at the four test sites were evaluated on patch removal 7 days following the patch application, and again after an additional 48 and 96 hours. Of the seven evaluable patients, three experienced allergic contact dermatitis to transdermal clonidine. Of the three, one had a reduced skin reaction and two had no skin reaction at the site where topical alumina, magnesia, and simethicone in suspension were applied under the transdermal clonidine patch. Blood pressure control was not compromised throughout the duration of the study. This clinical evaluation affirms the possibility that topical alumina, magnesia, and simethicone suspension may be useful in reducing or preventing allergic contact dermatitis induced by transdermal clonidine.
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