Clobetasol propionate lotion, an efficient and safe alternative to clobetasol propionate emollient cream in subjects with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis

Background: Various formulations of clobetasol propionate are currently used to treat psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, vasoconstrictive and immunomodulating properties. Objective: To assess the efficacy, safety and remission profile of clobetasol propionate lotion compared to that of clobetasol propionate emollient cream and lotion vehicle in subjects with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis. Methods: Multicentre, investigator-blind, randomized, active- and vehicle-controlled, parallel-group study. Results: A total of 192 subjects were treated: 82 with clobetasol propionate lotion, 81 with clobetasol propionate cream and 29 with the vehicle. Clobetasol propionate lotion was significantly more effective than vehicle lotion and was comparable in efficacy to the emollient cream after 4 weeks of treatment. Treatment success was higher for subjects in the clobetasol propionate lotion group than in the emollient cream group after 4 weeks of a treatment-free follow-up period. Clobetasol propionate lotion was safe and well tolerated. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that clobetasol propionate lotion is an efficacious, safe and well-tolerated alternative to the currently available emollient cream formulation, while showing a better remission profile after 4 weeks of treatment-free follow-up period.