Effect of desonide hydrogel 0.05% on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in pediatric subjects with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Desonide, a low potency corticosteroid, has been used widely as a topical treatment for inflammatory dermatoses for over 30 years. A recent formulation advance has enabled the development of desonide 0.05% into a novel moisturizing aqueous gel (hydrogel) that is free of alcohol and surfactants. This multicenter, open-label study evaluated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression potential, tolerability, and efficacy of this new Class VI topical steroid formulation in pediatric subjects with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (mean body surface area = 51%). Forty children, aged 6 months to 6 years were enrolled and treated twice daily for 4 weeks. Desonide hydrogel 0.05% was well tolerated and no treatment-related adverse events were reported. No suppression of adrenal function was observed in subjects who completed the study without protocol violations related to cosyntropin administration or cortisol testing (n=34). Of the subjects who completed the study with complications in cortisol testing (n=3), there was one subject (1/37=3%) who had a low poststimulation cortisol level at week 4. Efficacy was demonstrated by marked improvement in overall disease state and in the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis. This study validates the systemic safety of a novel desonide hydrogel formulation in young pediatric patients and confirms the longstanding tolerability and efficacy profile of desonide.

Safety and efficacy of desonide hydrogel 0.05% in pediatric subjects with atopic dermatitis.

Low to mid potency corticosteroids remain a cornerstone of therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD). Since AD is most prevalent in the younger pediatric population and is chronic in nature, safety is of particular concern especially for children under 2 years of age. A novel desonide (0.05%) formulation was developed in a nonirritating and moisturizing aqueous gel (hydrogel) that is free of alcohol and surfactants. The safety and efficacy of this new class VI low potency topical steroid was substantiated in 2 phase III clinical trials in mild to moderate AD subjects aged 3 months to 18 years (mean age 6.7 years and 30% under 3 years). A total of 425 subjects were treated with desonide hydrogel and 157 subjects with the hydrogel vehicle. Desonide hydrogel 0.05% was extremely well-tolerated and provided statistically significant improvements in all primary (P < .001) and secondary (P < .006) efficacy endpoints in both studies. This novel desonide formulation represents an advancement in the treatment of AD.

A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men.

BACKGROUND: Topical minoxidil solution 2% stimulates new hair growth and helps stop the loss of hair in individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Results can be variable, and historical experience suggests that higher concentrations of topical minoxidil may enhance efficacy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this 48-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter trial was to compare 5% topical minoxidil with 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of men with AGA. METHODS: A total of 393 men (18-49 years old) with AGA applied 5% topical minoxidil solution (n = 157), 2% topical minoxidil solution (n = 158), or placebo (vehicle for 5% solution; n = 78) twice daily. Efficacy was evaluated by scalp target area hair counts and patient and investigator assessments of change in scalp coverage and benefit of treatment. RESULTS: After 48 weeks of therapy, 5% topical minoxidil was significantly superior to 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in terms of change from baseline in nonvellus hair count, patient rating of scalp coverage and treatment benefit, and investigator rating of scalp coverage. Hair count data indicate that response to treatment occurred earlier with 5% compared with 2% topical minoxidil. Additionally, data from a patient questionnaire on quality of life, global benefit, hair growth, and hair styling demonstrated that 5% topical minoxidil helped improve patients' psychosocial perceptions of hair loss. An increased occurrence of pruritus and local irritation was observed with 5% topical minoxidil compared with 2% topical minoxidil. CONCLUSION: In men with AGA, 5% topical minoxidil was clearly superior to 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in increasing hair regrowth, and the magnitude of its effect was marked (45% more hair regrowth than 2% topical minoxidil at week 48). Men who used 5% topical minoxidil also had an earlier response to treatment than those who used 2% topical minoxidil. Psychosocial perceptions of hair loss in men with AGA were also improved. Topical minoxidil (5% and 2%) was well tolerated by the men in this trial without evidence of systemic effects.