Topical Colchicine Therapy for Recalcitrant Psoriasis

Once daily applications of 1.0% colchicine in hydrophilic ointment for 6 to 12 weeks produced substantial resolution of recalcitrant psoriatic plaques, especially those on the trunk. With occlusion, lower concentrations of the drug (0.25% and 0.50%) were usually effective. A thick viscous base (hydrophilic petrolatum) was more effective than a hydrophilic cream base (hydrophilic ointment), presumably because of greater occlusivity. Treatment with topically applied colchicine may be valuable when other measures fail to control localized thick plaques of psoriasis. Its use is still experimental and should be restricted to small areas until more is known about its percutaneous absorption.