Topical tazarotene vs. coal tar in stable plaque psoriasis.

Author(s): Kumar U, Kaur I, Dogra S, De D, Kumar B

Affiliation(s): Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Publication date & source: 2010-07, Clin Exp Dermatol., 35(5):482-6. Epub 2009 Oct 23.

Publication type: Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of topical tazarotene has not previously been compared with the conventional topical treatment of crude coal tar (CCT) in stable plaque psoriasis. AIM: To assess the comparative efficacy and tolerability of topical tazarotene 0.1% gel and CCT 5% ointment in stable plaque psoriasis. METHODS: In this nonblinded side-to-side comparison study, patients with chronic stable plaque psoriasis, who had bilaterally symmetrical plaques on the limbs, applied 0.1% tazarotene gel on the right side and 5% CCT ointment on the left side once daily for 12 weeks followed by an 8-week treatment-free follow up period. Severity of psoriatic lesions and response to treatment was evaluated by scoring erythema, scaling and induration (ESI). RESULTS: Of 30 patients recruited, 27 could be assessed. In the per-protocol analysis, the mean percentage reduction in ESI score at the end of the treatment period was 74.15% +/- 9.43 and 77.37% +/- 10.93 with tazarotene and CCT, respectively (P > 0.05). A reduction in ESI score of > 75% was seen in 11 (40.74%) and 16 (59.26%) patients with tazarotene and CCT, respectively, at the end of 12 weeks. Side-effects were seen in 48.14% of patients treated with tazarotene, but in no patient treated with CCT. CONCLUSIONS: Tazarotene 0.1% gel has comparable clinical efficacy to CCT 5% ointment. CCT ointment remains a cost-effective therapy for plaque psoriasis.