Multicentre randomized double-blind study of Locoid Lipocream fatty cream twice daily versus Locoid Lipocream once daily and Locobase once daily

Abstract

Twice daily application of Locoid Lipocream fatty cream (0.1% hydrocortisone 17-butyrate) was compared with Locoid Lipocream once daily and Locobase once daily in a randomized double-blind study of 150 atopic eczema patients (75 in each study group) recruited from one centre in each of Denmark, Norway, Finland and The Netherlands. A five-point rating scale was used at the beginning of the study and 2 and 4 weeks after the start of treatment to score erythema, induration, scaling, pruritus, excoriation and overall severity. At the end of the treatment both the investigators' and the patients' opinions on the overall improvement in the skin lesions were scored. Both treatments significantly reduced all clinical features equally, but the clearance rate was significantly higher with the twice daily regimen. Subjectively, both investigators and patients preferred the twice daily regimen. Adverse events occurred in eight patients, four in each treatment group, but in only one case did the treatment have to be stopped. We believe that twice daily application is the regimen of choice. However, in patients in whom compliance may be a problem and from the point of view of convenience once daily application is equally beneficial.

Key Words:

• Locoid Lipocream
• Hydrocortisone butyrate
• Atopic eczema