halobetasol and diflucortolone-valerate

In a double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter, comparative trial in 120 evaluable patients with chronic, localized atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus, the success rate (described as "healed" and "marked improvement") was 91.5% in patients treated with halobetasol propionate ointment and 83.6% in those in the diflucortolone valerate treatment group. Of patients treated with halobetasol propionate ointment, 40.7% reported healing within 17 days, whereas of those in the diflucortolone valerate treatment group, 32.8% reported healing within that time. Early onset of therapeutic effect, that is, within 3 days of the start of treatment, was reported in a higher percentage of patients treated with halobetasol propionate ointment than in those treated with diflucortolone valerate ointment (70% versus 59%). Adverse effects at the site of application were less frequently reported in patients belonging to the halobetasol propionate treatment group than in those treated with diflucortolone valerate ointment (3% versus 8%).

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Austria; Chronic Disease; Clobetasol; Dermatitis, Atopic; Diflucortolone; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurodermatitis; Ointments; Patient Satisfaction; Remission Induction; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Wound Healing