Optimal efficacy of topical corticoids in psoriasis.

Topical corticoids remain the mainstay of treatment for mild psoriasis. In recent years certain valuable modifications of this mode of treatment have emerged. Clobetasol propionate was found to induce the highest immediate response if applied as intensive pulse therapy and possibly also to induce longer remissions than other compounds. Once-daily application of betamethasone dipropionate in optimized vehicle and mometasone furoate were at least as effective as repeated applications of several other compounds. There are indications of a dissociation of potency and side effects for mometasone furoate. Thus, corticoid therapy now can be tailored to suit more closely the needs of the patients than was possible previously.