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Difference in Vasoconstrictors: Oxymetazoline Versus Brimonidine

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Rosacea

Part of the book series: Updates in Clinical Dermatology ((UCD))

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Abstract

Rosacea-related erythema has a multifactorial etiology that makes treatment difficult. Brimonidine and oxymetazoline are topical medications that target α-adrenoreceptors located in the superficial cutaneous blood vessels to treat persistent centrofacial erythema. This chapter explores the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties between the two medications, including mechanism of action and data from clinical trials. Administration, including instruction for patients, clinical indication, potential drug interactions, and adverse effects are discussed. A comparison between brimonidine and oxymetazoline helps healthcare providers understand the theoretical and clinical properties that both drugs provide.

Feldman has received research, speaking, and/or consulting support from a variety of companies including Galderma, GSK/Stiefel, Almirall, Leo Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Mylan, Celgene, Pfizer, Valeant, AbbVie, Samsung, Janssen, Lilly, Menlo, Merck, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Novan, Qurient, National Biological Corporation, Caremark, Advance Medical, Sun Pharma, Suncare Research, Informa, UpToDate, and National Psoriasis Foundation. He is the founder and majority owner of www.DrScore.com and founder and part owner of Causa Research, a company dedicated to enhancing patients’ adherence to treatment.

Adrian Pona and Abigail Cline have no conflicts to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Adrian Pona & Abigail Cline

  2. Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Steven R. Feldman

  3. Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Steven R. Feldman

  4. Department of Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Steven R. Feldman

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  1. Adrian Pona
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  2. Abigail Cline
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  3. Steven R. Feldman
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Correspondence to Adrian Pona .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA, USA

    John Havens Cary

  2. Dermatology Clinic, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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Pona, A., Cline, A., Feldman, S.R. (2020). Difference in Vasoconstrictors: Oxymetazoline Versus Brimonidine. In: Cary, J.H., Maibach, H.I. (eds) Rosacea. Updates in Clinical Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52097-7_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52097-7_5

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