Consistency of data in six phase III clinical studies of a two‐compound product containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate ointment for the treatment of psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate are both proven products in the topical treatment of psoriasis. The efficacy and tolerability of a new ointment containing these two compounds has been assessed in six phase III clinical studies. OBJECTIVE: To compare the results obtained in the clinical studies of the new calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment. METHODS: A total of 6050 patients with psoriasis took part in the six randomized, double-blind studies. The two-compound product was compared with each of the active constituents, either in the new ointment vehicle or in the marketed formulation. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment the mean reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ranged from 65 to 74% with the two-compound product applied once or twice daily, from 46 to 59% with calcipotriol alone and from 57 to 63% with betamethasone dipropionate alone. The tolerability profile of the two-compound product was similar to betamethasone dipropionate monotherapy and better than calcipotriol alone. CONCLUSION: The new two-compound product containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate was found to consistently provide rapid, highly effective treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.