Amcinonide vs. betamethasone dipropionate ointments in the treatment of psoriasis

A randomized, double-blind study compared the efficacy and safety of amcinonide and betamethasone dipropionate ointments, applied twice daily for two weeks, in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Thirty-four patients were enrolled; thirty patients had had psoriasis for more than one year, and in the majority of patients, it was stable or slowly exacerbating. Significant improvement from baseline was observed with both ointments at weeks 1 and 2. The two drugs showed comparable cosmetic acceptability. Adverse cutaneous symptoms experienced were burning (both groups), itching (amcinonide), and stinging (beta-methasone); no serious adverse effects were reported.