Fumarid Acids Esters - Essay Example

"Fumarid Acids Esters" is an exceptional example of a paper on dermatology.
For over 30 years now, fumaric acid esters have been used to treat psoriasis in some countries. The German chemist Schweckendiek in the late 1950’s first introduced their use in the treatment of psoriasis (Christophers & Wolff 1999). Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red patches covered with scales. These patches appear mostly on the knees, elbows, and scalp. these patches may or may not be itchy. This condition can start at any age but it most often develops in adults under the age of 35 years. The effects are equal in both genders. Fumaric acid esters are derived from fumaric acids, which are mostly found in cakes and sweets. However, they are not effective in these foods because they are poorly absorbed into the body system. The use of these fumaric acid esters has not yet been licensed in the UK (Hunter, Savin & Dahl 2002).

According to Hoffman, (1981), this drug consists of dimethyl fumarate and three salts of monoethyl fumarate. It is administered orally. Fumaric acid esters work on T-cells which produce cytokines chemicals found in the immune system. These cytokines are needed in our bodies to maintain health. Psoriasis disturbs their sufficiency. At this point, one develops psoriasis (Larkö, pg 56). Fumaric acid esters treat this condition by changing the immune system to reduce the imbalance of the cytokines. Fumaric acid esters treat moderate and severe psoriasis. After administering, they are not effective immediately, but in 4 to 6 weeks of taking the dosage, an improvement on the condition will be noted. These fumaric acid esters are taken up to three times daily after a meal. one can as well take them with food (Mitchell & Penzer 2005).

Fumaric acid esters are taken in different dosages especially at the beginning of their administration. In the first week, one tablet is taken daily. These tablets are week compared to the others. It is so to prepare the body for the change of chemicals in the system. In the second week, two tablets are taken daily. These tablets are stronger compared to those taken the first week. After this day, three tablets are taken daily. The dosage goes on increasing up to a maximum of 6 tablets a week. This dosage is maintained for a few weeks until psoriasis is completely cleared. The dose then drops gradually to maintain the psoriasis condition clear or mostly clear. It must be noted that this drug should be taken with food (Roenigk & Maibach 1998).

Fumaric acid esters may not completely treat psoriasis but it clears most of it. Fumaric acid esters are important because they are used to treat psoriasis which is a very common and chronic disease that can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life.in case of severe conditions, systematic treatment is required to control the disease. However, just like many drugs, fumaric acid esters has side effects. At the beginning of the treatment, one can experience reddening of the face and fever. Sometimes headaches can also one can experience the feeling of sickness, weak and dizziness. This may be accompanied by vomiting, stomach upsets, and sometimes diarrhea. These effects are only short-term and one stops experiencing them after continued use of the fumaric esters (Wakelin 2002).

Long-term effects may involve, the body's immunity going low and it becomes difficult for the body to fight another disease. The white blood cells become weak and their level is lowered.

Sometimes they can cause problems in the liver and kidneys. Fortunately, these effects are rare and easily reversible when the treatment is stopped. Precautions should be taken regularly to ensure that no severe damage. Blood tastes can be taken to check the level of white blood cells. Liver and kidney checkups are important too. In case other drugs are being taken, precaution should be taken to ensure that the reaction between these drugs and fumaric acid esters does not cause serious problems to the body.it is important to seek doctors’ advice before taking any other drugs besides fumaric acid esters. The same case applies to alcohol takers. Fumaric acid esters react with alcohol so those who take alcohol should reduce their level of intake to the minimum level possible to avoid negative effects (Roll, Antonie, Reich, Kristian, & BöEr 2007).

In conclusion, people with severe gastrointestinal diseases, such as chronic gastritis or severe duodenal ulcers, should not use fumaric acid esters. The same case applies to patients with liver or kidney problems. Patients under the age of 18 or pregnant and lactating women should not be treated with fumaric acid esters too. It is advisable to discontinue the use of fumaric acid esters in case severe side effects are experienced. Fumaric acid esters have been used in many cases to treat psoriasis since 1959. Over the last decade, studies are been taken to learn more about the drug. So far its use has been approved in Germany only but it has been used in European countries as an unlicensed treatment.