Handbook of dermatologic drug therapy

AK Bajaj

 Past President, IADVL 2003 Chairman, IADVL Academy of Dermatology 2008, 2009, 3/6 Panna Lal Road, Allahabad - 211 002, Uttar Pradesh, India

Correspondence Address:
A K Bajaj
Past President, IADVL 2003 Chairman, IADVL Academy of Dermatology 2008, 2009, 3/6 Panna Lal Road, Allahabad - 211 002, Uttar Pradesh
India

Editors: Dr. S. Sacchidanand and Dr. A. S. Savitha

Publisher: Tree life Media (Division of Kothari Medical), Mumbai

Binding: Softcover (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-8190491471

Edition: First

Pages: 669

Price: Rs 1000

Medicine is a dynamic subject and newer drugs and diseases are introduced every now and then. Many drugs go into oblivion, and many more appear on the horizon. In dermatology practice both, topical and systemic drugs are prescribed. There is a dire need to have a source that can keep you up-to-date regarding details about various drugs commonly and uncommonly used in dermatology practice. This need has been fulfilled by a comprehensive treatise “Handbook of Dermatologic Drug Therapy” by editors Dr. S. Sacchidanand and Dr. A. S. Savitha and authors of various chapters. This book gives comprehensive information about the chemical structure, indications, contraindications, dosage schedule and side effects of drugs used in dermatology. The prescription pearls are an icing on the cake though they are not in every chapter.

Every maiden attempt in spite of best efforts does have a downside. The pharmacokinetic details are too comprehensive which could have been made compact to make the handbook handy and easy to read. It would have been desirable to highlight common indications, contraindications and main side effects rather than just enumerating them. I personally feel that trade names of some uncommonly used drugs could be added (along with the name of pharma company) to make it easy for a busy practitioner to prescribe them.

There are some factual and typographical errors. The chapter on anti-leprosy drugs does not clearly detail out the dosage schedule and the side effects are overstated. Chapter on antifungals needs correction regarding drugs for tinea unguium and tinea capitis. In the chapter on antivirals (page 259) Tables 2 and 3 need corrections.

In this era of technological advancement still flick of a page will be preferred over the click of a mouse to get information at the earliest. This book is a must for the desk of a practising dermatologist and also institutional library.