Calcipotriene ointment and halobetasol ointment in the long-term treatment of psoriasis: effects on the duration of improvement.
BACKGROUND
Weekend therapy with superpotent topical corticosteroids has been used for the long-term treatment of psoriasis. Recently, calcipotriene ointment has been added to this regimen for use on weekdays, but there are no long-term studies of that combination.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of weekday calcipotriene to a pulse therapy regimen of weekend superpotent corticosteroids results in a longer duration of remission of plaque psoriasis.


METHODS
This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Forty-four patients with mild to moderate psoriasis were treated with calcipotriene ointment in the morning and halobetasol ointment in the evening for 2 weeks. Thereafter, 40 patients who were at least moderately (50% or greater) improved were randomized to 2 treatment groups. After 2 weeks of treatment with calcipotriene ointment in the morning and halobetasol ointment in the evening, 20 patients were randomized to receive halobetasol ointment twice daily on weekends and calcipotriene ointment twice daily on weekdays, and 20 patients were randomized to receive halobetasol ointment twice daily on weekends and placebo ointment twice daily on weekdays.


RESULTS
Seventy-six percent of patients applying halobetasol ointments on weekends and calcipotriene ointment on weekdays were able to maintain remission for 6 months compared with 40% of patients applying halobetasol ointment on weekends only with the vehicle on weekdays.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of calcipotriene ointment applied on weekdays to a weekend pulse therapy regimen of superpotent corticosteroids can increase the duration of remission of psoriasis.
Lebwohl
M
M
Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Yoles
A
A
Lombardi
K
K
Lou
W
W
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D009824:Ointments; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009824:Ointments; C055085:calcipotriene; C064466:halobetasol; D002990:Clobetasol; D002117:Calcitriol