title: A double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Temovate) scalp application in the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of clobetasol propionate 0.05% scalp application was evaluated in 378 patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis in a double-blind vehicle-controlled parallel group study. After 2 weeks of twice-daily applications, 81% receiving active drug versus 22% receiving vehicle had clearing of 50% or greater. Complete clearing was seen in 26% with active drug and 1% with vehicle. Local side effects were primarily burning or stinging in 11% and 10% of patients treated on an active or a vehicle regimen, respectively. The morning cortisol levels of 168 patients were checked at baseline and again after 2 weeks of drug therapy. Subnormal morning plasma cortisol values were seen in 5% of the patients receiving active drug and in 5% receiving vehicle; 13% of those taking active drug versus 5% taking vehicle had a 50% or greater decrease in morning cortisol at the 2-week visit compared with baseline values. Clobetasol propionate 0.05% scalp application appears to be a safe and an effective treatment for scalp psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cram
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hickman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lasser
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lebwohl
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leibsohn
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Medansky
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002990:Clobetasol; D006854:Hydrocortisone