Elorac offers Zithranol-RR for treating plaque psoriasis

Aug 28 2009

Now patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis have a new topical treatment option available by prescription. Zithranol™-RR (anthralin rapid release microcrystalline encapsulated cream, 1.2%), is an innovative topical therapy for plaque psoriasis according to Elorac, Inc., a privately held emerging dermatology company. Zithranol™-RR provides an advanced delivery system for anthralin achieving long remission times with no long-term side effects in a steroid-free, silky cream.

While there is no cure for psoriasis, treatment can clear psoriatic skin for periods of time. Zithranol™-RR contains the active ingredient anthralin which has been shown to clear psoriasis and keep it in remission for long periods of time with only once-a-day application.

“The key to Zithranol™-RR is the advanced delivery system designed to rapidly release anthralin allowing for excellent efficacy with only once daily application,” said Joel Bernstein, MD, a dermatologist and CEO of Elorac. “Zithranol™-RR makes it easy to utilize the known efficacy and safety of anthralin while minimizing the challenges commonly seen with traditional anthralin formulations.”

Zithranol™-RR’s advanced delivery of anthralin is designed to rapidly release anthralin to the psoriatic skin reducing the risk of staining and irritation seen with traditional formulations of anthralin. It is a 1.2% anthralin cream in which the active ingredient is surrounded by a protective layer of lipids. These layers melt at body temperature, releasing the anthralin only on the skin where it is applied, not on clothes, bedding or bathroom fixtures.

The unique, quick delivery of Zithranol™-RR is known as short contact anthralin therapy (S.C.A.T.). “A patient can apply Zithranol™-RR, have breakfast then rinse off the medication with cool or luke-warm water and be done with the treatment for the day,” said Dr. Bernstein.

Additional benefits to Zithranol™-RR include:

• Long lasting efficacy with up to 6 months remission times
• Convenient once daily, short-contact therapy
• Proven safe with no long-term side effects
• Rapid release delivery reduces irritation and staining

Zithranol™-RR is available by prescription. There are no branded or generic equivalents for Zithranol™-RR.

About Zithranol™-RR’s Advanced Delivery of Anthralin

Zithranol™-RR contains 1.2% microcrystalline encapsulated anthralin in a green, aqueous cream. The anthralin in Zithranol™-RR is microencapsulated into a proprietary formulation of surface active crystalline polar lipids to provide for rapid release, as well as to reduce irritation and staining frequently observed with nonencapsulated anthralin preparations. Since Zithranol™-RR’s advanced delivery system rapidly releases anthralin into psoriatic plaques on contact with skin, Zithranol™-RR is especially useful for short contact (5-15 minutes) therapy with anthralin. Zithranol™-RR contains no preservatives.