Efficacy of Topical Palmitoylethanolamide (Levagen+) for the Management of Eczema Symptoms: A Double-Blind, Comparator-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Eczema is a debilitating skin disorder clinically characterised by the development of itchy, dry, rough, and scaling skin caused by a series of rudimentary clinical phenotypes.

Methods: This double-blind, randomised, comparator-controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of topical application of a novel palmitoylethanolamide formulation (Levagen+) compared with a standard moisturiser (comparator) to reduce eczema severity and improve patient outcomes. Seventy-two participants aged over 18 years old with atopic eczema (symptoms including redness, dry skin, scaling, and/or itchiness) on their hands or arm were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups (Levagen + or comparator). Treatment was applied to the affected area twice daily for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included Self-Assessed Eczema Area Severity Index (SA-EASI) scoring and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) from baseline to week 4.

Results: Levagen+ was effective at alleviating symptom severity of eczema over 4 weeks. Levagen+ significantly reduced redness, dryness, and total POEM score compared to a comparator cream.

Conclusion: Levagen+ can significantly reduce eczema symptom severity compared to a comparator product, supporting its use as a potential treatment for eczema.

Trial registration: <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://clinicaltrials.gov" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">clinicaltrials.gov</ext-link> Identifier: NCT05003453.

Keywords: Allergy; Alternative medicine; Anti-inflammation; Atopic eczema; Dermatology; Disease management; Eczema; Palmitoylethanolamide; Skin disease.