Clobetasol Propionate Foam Reduced Scalp Psoriasis

0 Comments | Family Practice News, May 1, 2000

Dr. Stein also compared the bioavailability of a super high-potency topical steroid, clobetasol propionate, in a foam delivery system.

The randomized, double-blind study involved 188 patients at 12 centers, all of whom had moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. Both the clobetasol propionate 0.05% foam and the 0.05% solution worked significantly better than a placebo in reducing erythema, scaling, plaque thickness, and pruritus.

The foam was markedly better than the solution at reducing scaling. It performed slightly better than the solution at reducing plaque thickness and pruritus, although those differences did not reach statistical significance.

Both the foam and solution reduced erythema equally well.

Investigators said that 74% of patients on clobetasol propionate foam improved 50% or more, compared with 63% of patients receiving clobetasol propionate solution. Improvement with placebo was 10% or less. Food and Drug Administration approval of clobetasol propionate foam is expected by late summer. It will be marketed as Olux by Connetics Corp. of Palo Alto, Calif.