Fixed Combination Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate (Cal/BD) Foam for Beyond-Mild Psoriasis: A Possible Alternative to Systemic Medication

J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Aug 1;19(8):723-732. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2020.5300.

Abstract

Calcipotriene 0.005% plus betamethasone dipropionate 0.064% (Cal/BD) aerosol foam is a topical agent indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. While topical treatments are typically reserved for milder disease, in clinical trials with Cal/BD foam, the vast majority of patients had beyond-mild psoriasis at baseline, and multiple studies (including subgroup analyses from randomized controlled trials and other small-scale studies) have demonstrated favorable outcomes with the use of Cal/BD foam in this population. The objective of this article is to review existing data on the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of Cal/BD foam used in patients with beyond-mild psoriasis, either alone as topical monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy. Practical recommendations for managing beyond-mild psoriasis with Cal/BD foam are also provided. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(8): doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5300.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Aerosols
  • Betamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Betamethasone / adverse effects
  • Betamethasone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Betamethasone / economics
  • Biological Products / administration & dosage*
  • Biological Products / adverse effects
  • Biological Products / economics
  • Calcitriol / administration & dosage
  • Calcitriol / adverse effects
  • Calcitriol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Calcitriol / economics
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
  • Dermatologic Agents / economics
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / adverse effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / economics
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Humans
  • Psoriasis / diagnosis
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Psoriasis / economics
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives
  • Thalidomide / economics
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Biological Products
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • calcipotriene
  • Thalidomide
  • betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate
  • Betamethasone
  • Calcitriol
  • apremilast