RANITIDINE DOES NOT AFFECT PSORIASIS - A MULTICENTER, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Background: Data from open studies suggest that ranitidine has a benef icial effect on psoriasis and is well tolerated, Objective: Our purpos e was to determine the effectiveness of ranitidine in a 24-week, multi center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-comparing study of 201 patients with psoriasis. Methods: Patients with moderate to severe pso riasis who had stopped systemic antipsoriatic therapy, including PUVA and UVB, for at least 10 weeks were included. After a washout period o f 2 weeks, patients were randomly allocated to use either ranitidine, 150 mg: twice a day; ranitidine, 300 mg twice a day; or placebo for up to 24 weeks, Assessment with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index wa s performed at weeks 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 after randomization. Redu ction of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score by 70% al the com pletion of the study was considered a treatment success, Results: The success rates at week 24 in the: 300 mg, 600 mg, and placebo groups we re 11%, 5%, and 12%, respectively. No significant differences were obs erved between the three treatment groups at any stage of the study, Co nclusion: This study provides strong evidence that ranitidine does not affect the skin disease in patients with psoriasis.