Safety and Efficacy of a Halobetasol 0.01%/Tazarotene 0.045% Fixed Combination Lotion in the Treatment of Moderate-to-severe Plaque Psoriasis: A Comparison with Halobetasol Propionate 0.05% Cream.

Background: Topical corticosteroids (TCS) represent a mainstay of psoriasis treatment, though more potent formulations are not recommended for use for more than 2 to 4 weeks. Objective: We sought to investigate the safety and efficacy of once-daily halobetasol propionate 0.01%/tazarotene 0.045% (HP/TAZ) lotion and halobetasol propionate 0.05% cream in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled Phase II study (n=154). Patients were randomized (2:2:1) to HP 0.01%/TAZ 0.045% lotion, halobetasol propionate 0.05% cream, or vehicle, applied topically once daily for two weeks. Efficacy assessments included treatment success, impact on individual psoriasis signs (i.e., erythema, plaque elevation, and scaling) at target lesion, and body surface area (BSA). Safety and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated throughout. Results: HP/TAZ lotion was significantly more effective than vehicle and was comparable to halobetasol propionate 0.05% cream in reducing erythema, plaque elevation, and scaling. Of the HP/TAZ patients, 32.8 percent achieved treatment success versus 34.0 and 3.3 percent in the halobetasol and vehicle groups. At Week 2, treatment success was seen in 34.4 percent (erythema), 54.1 percent (plaque elevation), and 60.7 percent (scaling) of patients versus in 43.5, 50.8, and 50.8 percent receiving halobetasol. A 25.0- and 24.8-percent reduction in BSA occurred, respectively. The most frequently reported, treatment-related AE was application site pain. Conclusions: The efficacy of HP/TAZ lotion was comparable to a higher concentration of 0.05% halobetasol cream, showing rapid treatment success after two weeks with good safety.