Comparative Efficacy of Halcinonide and Fluocinonide Creams in Psoriasis and Eczematous Dermatoses

¹ Squibb Institute for Medical Research, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, N.J. 08540.

The clinical efficacy of halcinonide and fluocinonide creams was compared in the treatment of 392 patients with corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, including psoriasis, and various eczematous dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, eczematous dermatitis, and neurodermatitis. The severity of the condition treated was moderate or severe in most of the patients. Usually, the creams were applied three times daily for two to three weeks. In psoriasis, halcinonide was superior to fluocinonide (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between halcinonide and fluocinonide in the treatment of the eczematous dermatoses. Both creams were well tolerated, each being associated with local side effects (such as burning sensation, dryness, erythema, and pruritus) in 4.9 per cent of patients.

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The following dermatologists kindly permitted the use of their data in preparation of this manuscript: Dr. J. Barba-Rubio, Professor of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Guadalajara, Mexico; Professor S. Borelli, Director of the Dermatological Clinic and Policlinic, Technical University of Munich, Germany; Professor O. Braun-Falco, Director of the Dermatological Clinic and Policlinic, University of Munich, Germany; Dr. J. Close de Leon, Professor of Dermatology, University of San Carlos, School of Medicine, Guatemala City, Guatemala; Dr. L. Forstrom, Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of Helsinki, Finland; Dr. F. Londoño-González, Professor of Dermatology, University of Colombia, School of Medicine, Bogotá Colombia; Dr. S. A. Simuongco, Chairman, Dermatology Section of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines; Dr. G. Weber, Head of the Skin Clinic, Municipal Hospital, Nuremberg, Germany.