Comparison of two different dose combinations of calcipotriol/hydrocortisone ointment used once daily for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris on the face and body.

A calcipotriol/hydrocortisone combination ointment has been developed for treating psoriasis on sensitive skin areas such as the face. The efficacy and safety of two calcipotriol/hydrocortisone dose combinations were compared with two concentrations of calcipotriol in the same ointment vehicle in patients with psoriasis on the face and body. Patients were randomised to receive 8 weeks once daily treatment with calcipotriol 25 mcg/g or 50 mcg/g, either alone or combined with hydrocortisone 10 mg/g. On the body and face overall, no statistically significant differences in efficacy were observed between the calcipotriol/hydrocortisone formulations versus the calcipotriol alone formulations nor between the two concentrations of calcipotriol (50 mcg/g versus 25 mcg/g). On the face alone, calcipotriol/hydrocortisone was significantly more effective than calcipotriol alone (P < 0.001) but no consistent significant difference was found between the two concentrations of calcipotriol. There was a significant benefit of combining hydrocortisone with calcipotriol in the incidence of adverse drug reactions on the body and face (P = 0.006) and on the face (P < 0.001) but no significant difference was found between the two concentrations of calcipotriol either on the body and face or on the face. In facial psoriasis, combining hydrocortisone with calcipotriol resulted in an improved efficacy and tolerability compared to calcipotriol alone.