Clobetasol propionate shampoo 0.05% is efficacious and safe for long-term control of scalp psoriasis.
Clobetasol propionate (CP) shampoo 0.05% is an efficacious and safe treatment for scalp psoriasis. The aim of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was to determine if CP shampoo is suitable for long-term disease control. Participants with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis (global severity score [GSS] of 3 or 4 on a scale of 0 [clear] to 5 [very severe]) first received once daily CP shampoo treatment for up to 4 weeks. Responders were subsequently randomized to receive the CP shampoo or vehicle twice weekly maintenance regimen for up to 6 months. When relapse occurred (defined as GSS > 2), participants resumed once daily CP shampoo treatment; when symptoms diminished (GSS < or = 2), they readopted the twice weekly maintenance regimen. At all visits significantly more participants treated with CP shampoo did not relapse compared with participants treated with vehicle (P < .001). Only approximately one-third of participants treated with vehicle remained relapse free at 1 month, while this rate was observed approximately 3.5 months later (4.5 months after baseline of maintenance phase) in the CP shampoo group. After 6 months 31.1% (33/106) of participants in the CP shampoo group were still relapse free versus 8.1% (9/111) of participants in the vehicle group. There was no greater incidence of skin atrophy, telangiectasia, or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression in the CP shampoo group compared with the vehicle group. Clobetasol propionate shampoo is efficacious and safe for acute management and long-term maintenance of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis.
Poulin
Yves
Y
Centre de Recherche Dermatologique du Québec Metropolitain, Québec City, Québec, Canada. poulinyves@videotron.ca
Papp
Kim
K
Bissonnette
Robert
R
Guenther
Lyn
L
Tan
Jerry
J
Lynde
Charles
C
Kerrouche
Nabil
N
Villemagne
Hervé
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006203:Hair Preparations; D002990:Clobetasol