Efficacy, cutaneous tolerance and cosmetic acceptability of desonide 0.05% lotion (Desowen) versus vehicle in the short-term treatment of facial atopic or seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Author(s): Freeman S, Howard A, Foley P, Rosen R, Wood G, See JA, Gray S

Affiliation(s): Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia. susisuron@aol.com.au

Publication date & source: 2002-08, Australas J Dermatol., 43(3):186-9.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study ; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

The differences between topical corticosteroids are based mainly on their potency, safety and patient acceptability. The aim of this study was to evaluate a mild- to mid-potent topical corticosteroid, desonide 0.05%, on these three parameters in an Australian cohort of patients with facial seborrhoeic or atopic dermatitis. Eighty-one adult patients were randomized to receive desonide 0.05% lotion or its vehicle, applied twice daily for 3 weeks under double-blind conditions. In the active treatment group, 88% of patients had their skin condition cleared or almost cleared and only two patients experienced cutaneous adverse events (rash and pruritus). The acceptability of the lotion was high; 95% of patients stated they would use this topical corticosteroid again. These data support the short-term use of desonide 0.05% lotion as a suitable agent for the short-term treatment of facial dermatitis.