Comparative safety of topical calcipotriol (0.005%) versus topical corticosteroid (betamethasone 0.1%) in plaque type psoriasis

Objective: To compare the safety of topical calcipotriol (0.005%) and topical corticosteroid (betamethasone 0.1%) in the treatment of plaque type psoriasis. Patients and methods: A clinical trial was carried out from January 2012 to August 2012 and patients of plaque type psoriasis attending outpatient department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka were the study population. Patients were divided into two groups, group A (n=15) was treated with topical calcipotriol (0.005%) ointment and group B (n=15) with topical corticosteroid (betamethasone 0.1%) ointment for 8 weeks. Results: Adverse effects were found in 11 (73.3%) respondents in group A and 10 (66.7%) in group B. Among the adverse effects, desquamation, dry skin, irritation, itching, burning sensation, telangiectasia were commonly found. Conclusion: The safety level of topical calcipotriol (0.005%) is almost same as that of betamethasone in the treatment of plaque type psoriasis.