title: Double-blind, comparative clinical trials with halobetasol propionate cream in patients with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: In two double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter trials, 0.05% halobetasol propionate cream was compared with 0.05% clobetasol 17-propionate cream and 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate cream in 264 patients with acute, severe exacerbations of atopic dermatitis. The efficacy of halobetasol propionate cream and betamethasone dipropionate cream was similar with regard to the success rate, as indicated by ratings of "healed" and "marked improvement" (88% versus 90%) and by an onset of therapeutic effect within 3 days of the start of treatment (40% versus 39%). The efficacy of halobetasol propionate cream and clobetasol 17-propionate cream was also similar with regard to success rates (89% versus 93%) and an onset of therapeutic effect within 3 days of the start of treatment (41% versus 38%). All three creams were well tolerated. Dryness of the skin and itching at the site of application were the reported adverse effects. Treatment was discontinued because of severe dryness of the skin in 1 of the 121 patients treated with halobetasol propionate cream and in 1 of the 59 patients treated with betamethasone dipropionate cream.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Ciba-Geigy Limited, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yawalkar
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schwerzmann
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012074:Remission Induction; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; C011175:betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate; D001623:Betamethasone; C064466:halobetasol; D002990:Clobetasol