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Clobetasol-Based Shampoo Beats Tar Shampoo For Scalp Psoriasis: Presented at AAD

By Alison Palkhivala

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- March 25, 2003 -- A new formulation of clobetasol proprionate 0.05% shampoo appears to be just as safe and more effective than a tar blend shampoo for the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis.

As part of a multi-centre trial, 162 individuals at least 18 years of age with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis were randomised in a 3:1 ratio to treatment with a new formulation of clobetasol proprionate 0.05% shampoo or a 1% tar blend shampoo. Participants applied their assigned shampoo once daily to a dry scalp for 15 minutes and then rinsed it off. S. Arsonnaud from the research and development department of Galderma, France, manufacturers of the clobetasol shampoo, led the trial, and the findings were presented in a poster here on March 22^nd at the 61^st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Total Severity Score (TSS), determined by adding scores that reflected severity of erythema, plaque thickening and desquamation and Global Severity Scores (GSS) were both significantly better for the patients using the clobetasol shampoo than the tar shampoo at the end of the trial (p<0.001). Average TSS was reduced from 6.1 to 3.1 (on a 9-point scale) among patients using the clobetasol shampoo, compared with 6.2 to 5.3 among those using the tar shampoo. GSS dropped from 3.4 to 1.9 (on a 6-point scale) in patients using clobetasol shampoo, compared with 3.5 to 3.0 for those using the tar shampoo.

Side effects monitored by the researchers included telangiectasia, skin atrophy and ocular safety. There was no difference between the two products with respect to these parameters.

Clobetasol shampoo received better ratings on the Cosmetic Acceptability questionnaire, as filled out by the participants, than the tar shampoo.

According to the authors, clobetasol proprionate 0.05% shampoo is superior to a tar blend shampoo for the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. Also, short-term use of this agent is unlikely to cause any corticosteroid-induced adverse events, such as telangiectasia or skin atrophy.

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