Phase 3 trials show halobetasol/tazarotene lotion works for psoriasis

March 1, 2018|Family Medicine

EXPERT ANALYSIS FROM SDEF HAWAII DERMATOLOGY SEMINAR

KAUAI, HAWAII – A topical halobetasol/tazarotene fixed-combination lotion for moderate to severe psoriasis hit all of its efficacy and safety endpoints in two phase 3 randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trials, Linda Stein Gold, MD, reported at the Hawaii Dermatology Seminar provided by the Global Academy for Medical Education/Skin Disease Education Foundation.

The fixed combination of halobetasol 0.01%/tazarotene 0.045% lotion takes advantage of an observation made 20 years ago: When tazarotene is combined with a potent topical corticosteroid, therapeutic efficacy is amplified synergistically while the problematic local side effects of each agent are diminished, explained Dr. Stein Gold, director of dermatology research at the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit.

Tazarotene is approved for treatment of psoriasis in both its cream and gel formulations and at 0.1% and 0.05% concentrations, whereas only the 0.1% concentration is approved for acne. Yet when Dr. Stein Gold asked how many audience members prescribe tazarotene for their psoriasis patients, only a few tentative hands were raised.

“Tazarotene: Great for acne, but think of it again for psoriasis,” Dr. Stein Gold said. “It makes sense. Tazarotene improves differentiation of the skin; it decreases inflammation; it decreases proliferation – it does all the good things that we want to do for psoriasis.