Aim: This pilot randomized intra-patient side to side trial was designed to assess the antipsoriatic efficacy, safety and tolerability of once daily versus the separate application of a vitamin D3 analogue and a powerful corticosteroid.
Methods: Twenty patients with plaque type psoriasis were enrolled. Two similar symmetrical lesions were randomized to be treated with an application of an ointment containing calcipotriol 50 µg/g plus betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g once daily or the application of budesonide 0.25 mg/g cream in the morning and tacalcitol 4 µg/g ointment in the evening.
Results: Eighteen patients completed the study. Both treatments proved to be effective but budesonide cream and tacalcitol ointment gave a faster improvement of lesions and itching relief at t1 and were better tolerated.
Conclusion: The separate daily regimen may represent a suitable treatment option for patients who need a faster improvement and a better moisturizing activity. Further studies which compare the efficacy and safety of these regimens need to be developed.