Drug Groups

approved

Description

Azelaic acid is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. It is a natural substance that is produced by Malassezia furfur (also known as Pityrosporum ovale), a yeast that lives on normal skin. It is effective against a number of skin conditions, such as mild to moderate acne, when applied topically in a cream formulation of 20%. It works in part by stopping the growth of skin bacteria that cause acne, and by keeping skin pores clear. Azelaic acid's antimicrobial action may be attributable to inhibition of microbial cellular protein synthesis.

Indication

For the topical treatment of mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.

Pharmacology

Azelaic acid is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. It is a natural substance that is produced by Malassezia furfur (also known as Pityrosporum ovale), a yeast that lives on normal skin. It is effective against a number of skin conditions, such as mild to moderate acne, when applied topically in a cream formulation of 20%. It works in part by stopping the growth of skin bacteria that cause acne, and by keeping skin pores clear. Azelaic acid's antimicrobial action may be attributable to inhibition of microbial cellular protein synthesis.

Toxicity

Oral LD50 in rat: >5 g/kg

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Mainly excreted unchanged in the urine but undergoes some b-oxidation to shorter chain dicarboxylic acids.

Absorption

Approximately 4% of the topically applied azelaic acid is systemically absorbed.

Half Life

The observed half-lives in healthy subjects are approximately 45 minutes after oral dosing and 12 hours after topical dosing, indicating percutaneous absorption rate-limited kinetics.

Elimination

Azelaic acid is mainly excreted unchanged in the urine, but undergoes some ?-oxidation to shorter chain dicarboxylic acids.

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