title: The separate daily application of tacalcitol 4 µg/g ointment and budesonide 0.25 mg/g cream is more effective than the single daily application of a two compound ointment containing calcipotriol 50 µg/g and betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot randomized intra-patient side to side trial was designed to assess the antipsoriatic efficacy, safety and tolerability of once daily versus the separate application of a vitamin D3 analogue and a powerful corticosteroid.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with plaque type psoriasis were enrolled. Two similar symmetrical lesions were randomized to be treated with an application of an ointment containing calcipotriol 50 µg/g plus betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g once daily or the application of budesonide 0.25 mg/g cream in the morning and tacalcitol 4 µg/g ointment in the evening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen patients completed the study. Both treatments proved to be effective but budesonide cream and tacalcitol ointment gave a faster improvement of lesions and itching relief at t1 and were better tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The separate daily regimen may represent a suitable treatment option for patients who need a faster improvement and a better moisturizing activity. Further studies which compare the efficacy and safety of these regimens need to be developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy. fototerapia@spedalicivili.brescia.it
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calzavara-Pinton
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venturini
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009824:Ointments; C055085:calcipotriene; D019819:Budesonide; C023850:1 alpha,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3; C011175:betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate; D001623:Betamethasone; D002117:Calcitriol