Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Clinical Profile of Halobetasol Propionate 0.01%/ Tazarotene 0.045% Lotion in Patients With Hyperkeratotic Plaque
Background:
Hyperkeratotic psoriatic plaques, characterized by considerable elevation and scaling, present treatment challenges with topical therapy. This post hoc analysis of two phase 3 trials evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-combination halobetasol propionate (0.01%) and tazarotene (0.045%) lotion (HP/TAZ; indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults) in treating hyperkeratotic plaques.
Methods:
Participants received HP/TAZ or vehicle daily for 8 weeks, with a 4-week posttreatment follow-up. Multiple subpopulations represented patients with hyperkeratotic plaques. Analysis 1 included a subgroup with severe plaque elevation and a second subgroup with severe scaling. Analysis 2 included a subgroup with either an investigator's global assessment (IGA) of 3 with moderate-to-severe plaque elevation or an IGA of 4. Endpoints included plaque elevation and/or scaling success (greater than or equal to 2-grade improvement for either) and safety assessments.
Results:
At week 8, the severe plaque elevation subgroup and severe scaling subgroup achieved plaque elevation and scaling success, respectively, at significantly greater rates with HP/TAZ versus vehicle (P<0.05 for all; Analysis 1). Analysis 2 participants achieved significantly greater rates of plaque elevation and scaling success with HP/TAZ versus vehicle at week 8 (P less than or equal to 0.001 for all). Tolerability improved from baseline by >46% for all subgroups. Adverse events were similar between treatment groups.
Conclusion:
HP/TAZ was efficacious and well tolerated for treating hyperkeratotic plaques.
Citation:
Tanghetti E, Stein Gold L, Lain E, Jacobson A. Clinical profile of halobetasol propionate 0.01%/tazarotene 0.045% lotion in patients with hyperkeratotic plaque psoriasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(6):590-598. doi:10.36849/JDD.8720R1.
