SDZ ASM 981

SDZ ASM 981 is an anti-inflammatory macrolactam which binds with high affin ity to macrophilin-12. The resulting complex inhibits calcineurin, thus blo cking the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. Twice daily application of topical SDZ ASM 981 1% cream was effective in th e treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults rind children in clinical trials . Summarised results from 260 patients with atopic dermatitis indicate that t he efficacy of SDZ ASM 981 is dose dependent. The highest concentration eva luated (1% cream) was not as effective as betamethasone valerate 1% cream i n this 3-week trial. The efficacy of SDZ ASM 981 and clobetasol ointments, used under occlusion, did not differ significantly in 10 patients with chronic psoriasis. Likewi se, SDZ ASM 981 0.6% and betamethasone valerate 1% creams were similarly ef fective in 66 patients with allergic contact dermatitis. Concentrations of SDZ ASM 981 in the blood during topical treatment were in variably below 2.1 Oral SDZ ASM 981 20mg or 30mg twice daily were effective in a dose dependen t manner in the reduction of psoriasis in adults with no evidence of advers e effects. SDZ ASR I 981 was well tolerated in the available trials, exhibiting no pot ential for systemic adverse reactions and no atrophogenic potential, a prob lem commonly associated with corticosteroid treatment.