Relief of Psoriasis
Coal tar has been used effectively to treat psoriasis for more than 50 years but has been a rather messy product to apply. This changed when Linotar™ was first introduced in South Africa after being registered with he Medicines Control Council and was the first new generation, cosmetically acceptable coal tar product with an improved efficacy3,4,5,6 .
Since then Linotar™/Exorex™ has also been registered in a number of countries through a network of marketing partners. In the USA, Canada, the UK, Holland, Singapore, Greece and Austria, permission to market the brand as Exorex was granted by the relevant regulatory authorities. In Australia and New Zealand both brand names exist.
A number of international clinical studies testify to the efficacy of Linotar/Exorex and it may be prudent to quote the editor of the Journal of Dermatological Treatment3 when he referred to the value of products that have stood the test of time when he called them “”tried and trusted fiends”. He said, inter alia, “Coal tar is one such old friend that is at risk of becoming distinctly unfashionable in an era of biologics, but I would suggest that we ignore it at our peril. It has the benefit of a long safety record and many patients have used it to good effect over many years. Thus well-performed clinical research into the use of coal tar is welcome. In this issue, Goodfield and colleagues report on a large, randomized multi-centre double-blind comparison of two coal tar products used for 12 weeks. Psoriasis improved significantly in both study groups with 40-49% reporting moderate or marked improvement and a few clearing completely”. He further stated that: “It is perhaps surprising that the 1% tar preparation (Exorex/Linotar) was as or more effective than a 5% formulation, and the authors speculate that the vehicle* may play a role.”
* transdermal carrier system known and trade marked as Emzaloid™
Benefits to the patient
- Ease of application and quick absorption
- Colourless and virtually odourless after application
- No known permanent skin discolouration
- Will not stain clothing when properly applied and absorbed
- No known evidence that resistance is developed to the product
- No fragrances or colourants
- Suitable for all skin types
- Provides a complete body and scalp treatment
- EFA’s help to restore normal skin and have inherent anti-inflammatory effects.
Linotar Gel 1 Reg nr: 27/13.9.1/0357
Linotar is marketed in South Africa by Activo Pharmaceuticals (www.activo.co.za)
- Exorex links and contact information:
USA:
www.exorexusa.com
www.psoriasisfree.com
Canada:
www.exorexcanada.com
UK: Forest Laboratories (Europe)
Contact Roopa Malhotra at: RMalhotra@forest-labs.co.uk or go to www.exorex.uk
SWITZERLAND: www.exorex.com
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: ASCENT PHARMACEUTICALS
Contact Rachel McAdam at +61 (0) 386 776 600 or rachel.mcadam@ascentpharma.com.au or go
www.ascentpharma.com.au