Avoiding Polypharmacy & Topical Confusion with Roflumilast (Zoryve)

Dr. Ted Lain welcomes Dr. Mona Shariari — Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, Associate Director of Clinical Trials at Central Connecticut Dermatology, and host of the Medical Sisterhood Podcast — for a deep dive into one of dermatology's most persistent challenges: polypharmacy and topical confusion.Ted and Mona look back at the old-school regimens dermatologists used to write out — one topical for the face, another for the body, different products for weekdays versus weekends — and how that complexity set patients up for poor adherence and side effects like skin thinning and hypopigmentation from steroid overuse. They discuss why once-daily, non-steroidal options like roflumilast (Zoryve) cream and foam have changed the equation, allowing head-to-toe use without the body surface area and duration limits that come with topical steroids.Topics covered include:Why systemic absorption is a bigger concern with topical steroids in pediatric patientsClinical trial insights on roflumilast for seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasisThe foam formulation's use in sensitive areas like the scalp, face, and skin foldsHow roflumilast compares to older PDE4 inhibitors and topical calcineurin inhibitorsWhy the drug's mechanism works across both TH1- and TH2-driven inflammationThe impact of once-daily dosing on patient compliance and long-term outcomesPractical tips for talking to patients transitioning off topical steroidsThis episode is sponsored by Arcutis Biotherapeutics, makers of Zoryve (roflumilast).Got a question or an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected] us at the Science of Skin Summit in Austin, TX this September, and the Science of Skin Longevity Summit in Scottsdale, AZ in February 2027. Details at scienceofskinsummit.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating — word of mouth is how this podcast grows!