BACKGROUND:Topical corticosteroids are often used in the treatment of psoriasis, but long-term use may be associated with serious adverse events such as tachyphylaxis or atrophy of the skin. Tazarotene, a new topical retinoid, has demonstrated significant clinical benefits but can cause mild to moderate local irritation. OBJECTIVE: We evaluate whether a combination treatment of topical tazarotene and a topical corticosteroid would increase efficacy while reducing the incidence of local adverse events associated with a topical retinoid. METHODS:Three hundred patients enrolled in an investigator-masked study were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: tazarotene 0.1% gel in combination with placebo cream, or with a low-, mid-, or high-potency corticosteroid cream, for 12 weeks of treatment and a posttreatment follow-up at week 16. RESULTS:Tazarotene 0.1% gel in combination with a mid- or high-potency corticosteroid, when compared with tazarotene plus placebo cream, achieved significantly greater reductions in scaling, erythema, and overall lesional severity, and a decreased incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSION: All tazarotene combinations (including tazarotene plus placebo) were highly effective in rapidly reducing the severity of psoriasis. Combining tazarotene with a topical corticosteroid increased efficacy while reducing the incidence of local adverse events.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Topical corticosteroids are often used in the treatment of psoriasis, but long-term use may be associated with serious adverse events such as tachyphylaxis or atrophy of the skin. Tazarotene, a new topical retinoid, has demonstrated significant clinical benefits but can cause mild to moderate local irritation. OBJECTIVE: We evaluate whether a combination treatment of topical tazarotene and a topical corticosteroid would increase efficacy while reducing the incidence of local adverse events associated with a topical retinoid. METHODS: Three hundred patients enrolled in an investigator-masked study were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: tazarotene 0.1% gel in combination with placebo cream, or with a low-, mid-, or high-potency corticosteroid cream, for 12 weeks of treatment and a posttreatment follow-up at week 16. RESULTS:Tazarotene 0.1% gel in combination with a mid- or high-potency corticosteroid, when compared with tazarotene plus placebo cream, achieved significantly greater reductions in scaling, erythema, and overall lesional severity, and a decreased incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSION: All tazarotene combinations (including tazarotene plus placebo) were highly effective in rapidly reducing the severity of psoriasis. Combining tazarotene with a topical corticosteroid increased efficacy while reducing the incidence of local adverse events.
Authors: George Martin; Bruce E Strober; Craig L Leonardi; Joel M Gelfand; Andrew Blauvelt; Arthur Kavanaugh; Linda Stein Gold; Brian Berman; Ted Rosen; Eggert Stockfleth Journal: J Clin Aesthet Dermatol Date: 2016-09-01
Authors: Glenn Butler; Julio Chávarri Michaels; Noori Al-Waili; Michael Finkelstein; Michael Allen; Richard Petrillo; Zev Carrey; Bangaruraju Kolanuvada; Bok Y Lee; Alfonso Gonzales Riera; Cesar Chávarri Michaels; Gary Urteaga Journal: J Med Case Rep Date: 2009-08-10