TAZAROTENE 0.1-PERCENT GEL PLUS CORTICOSTEROID CREAM IN THE TREATMENTOF PLAQUE PSORIASIS

Background: Topical corticosteroids are often used in the treatment of psoriasis, but longterm use may be associated with serious adverse ev ents such as tachyphylaxis or atrophy of the skin. Tazarotene, a new t opical retinoid, has demonstrated significant clinical benefits but ca n cause mild to moderate local irritation. Objective: We evaluate whet her a combination treatment of topical tazarotene and a topical cortic osteroid would increase efficacy while reducing the incidence of local adverse events associated with a topical retinoid. Methods: Three hun dred patients enrolled in an investigator-masked study were randomly a ssigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: tazarotene 0.1% gel in combination with placebo cream, or with a low-, mid-, or high-potency corticoster oid 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 hi gh-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 e vents. Conclusion: All tazarotene combinations (including tazarotene p lus placebo) were highly effective in rapidly reducing the severity of psoriasis. Combining tazarotene with a topical corticosteroid increas ed efficacy while reducing the incidence of local adverse events.