Consistency of data in six phase III clinical studies of a two-compound product containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate ointment for the treatment of psoriasis.

BACKGROUND

Calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate are both proven products in the topical treatment of psoriasis. The efficacy and tolerability of a new ointment containing these two compounds has been assessed in six phase III clinical studies.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results obtained in the clinical studies of the new calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment.

METHODS

A total of 6050 patients with psoriasis took part in the six randomized, double-blind studies. The two-compound product was compared with each of the active constituents, either in the new ointment vehicle or in the marketed formulation.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of treatment the mean reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ranged from 65 to 74% with the two-compound product applied once or twice daily, from 46 to 59% with calcipotriol alone and from 57 to 63% with betamethasone dipropionate alone. The tolerability profile of the two-compound product was similar to betamethasone dipropionate monotherapy and better than calcipotriol alone.

CONCLUSION

The new two-compound product containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate was found to consistently provide rapid, highly effective treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.