Clobetasol Lotion and Cream for Severe Psoriasis
Title: Clobetasol propionate lotion, an efficient
and safe alternative to clobetasol propionate emollient cream
in subjects with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis.
Authors: Lowe N, et al.
Publication: J Dermatolog Treat. 2005 Aug;16(3):158-64.
Various formulations of the topical corticosteroid drug clobetasol
propionate are currently used to treat psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory,
anti-pruritic (anti-itching), vasoconstrictive (ability to constrict
blood vessels) and immunomodulating (ability to modulate the body’s
immune response) properties.
The authors wanted to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and remission
profile of clobetasol propionate lotion in comparison to that
in form of emollient (softening) cream in patients with moderate
to severe plaque-type psoriasis.
They enrolled 192 subjects in a multicenter, randomized study.
These patients were divided into:
- Clobetasol propionate lotion (82 patients)
- Clobetasol propionate cream (81 patients)
- Placebo (cream or lotion vehicle only) (29 patients)
After 4 weeks of treatment, the authors found that the results
of clobetasol propionate lotion was better than placebo lotion,
but was similar to that of clobetasol emollient cream. However,
those who used clobetasol lotion had better remission profile
4 weeks after treatment than those who used the emollient cream
form.
The authors concluded that the clobetasol propionate lotion is
effective, safe, and well-tolerated alternative to the emollient
cream form, with better remission profile after the treatment
was completed.