Preliminary study of the efficacy and tolerability of combination therapy with calcipotriene ointment 0.005% and tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis.

ABSTRACT

Calcipotriene ointment is widely used in the topical treatment of psoriasis, with tacrolimus ointment as an effective alternative in controlling stable plaque psoriasis. The efficacy of the combination of both products on stable plaque psoriasis has not been assessed in the literature consulted. We evaluated the efficacy of calcipotriene ointment 0.005% applied twice daily, tacrolimus ointment 0.1% applied twice daily, or a morning application of calcipotriene and an evening application of tacrolimus in 27 participants with stable plaque psoriasis over an 8-week treatment period. The mean reduction in the sum of the scores between baseline and week 8 was significant (P = .001) for calcipotriene alone (39.5%), tacrolimus alone (38.2%), and the combination of calcipotriene and tacrolimus (60.7%). Combination therapy was statistically more effective than tacrolimus alone (P = .043) but not statistically superior to calcipotriene alone (P=.056). Most adverse events (AEs) were related to skin irritation and pruritus; however, no AEs were evident in participants given the combination therapy.