Topical calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate for the treatment of plaque psoriasis: a drug evaluation

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 3.2% of adults in the United States. The mainstay treatment for mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis (the most common subtype and severity) is topical therapy.

Areas covered:The fixed combination calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate (BD) is an effective topical treatment for plaque psoriasis. Two therapies with separate actions – a Vitamin D analog and a high-potency topical corticosteroid – combined into a single medication allows for better efficacy and patient adherence. The treatment is available in ointment, gel, suspension, foam, and cream formulations. The authors elaborate on this and provide their expert perspectives.

Expert opinion: Combination calcipotriol/BD offers several advantages over its separate product monotherapies, including better efficacy, safety, and ease of use. Newer calcipotriol/BD formulations include less messy vehicles, thus promoting improved adherence. Further data are needed on whether combination calcipotriol/BD will be cost-effective and whether insurers will place it in the treatment coverage algorithm. Due to its higher price, calcipotriol/BD will likely remain a second-line treatment option after generic topical corticosteroids.

KEYWORDS:

• Betamethasone dipropionate
• calcipotriol
• combination therapy
• psoriasis
• topical therapy

Declaration of interest

S Feldman received research, speaking and/or consulting support from Galderma, GSK/Stiefel, Almirall, Alvotech, Leo Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Mylan, Celgene, Pfizer, Ortho Dermatology, AbbVie, Samsung, Janssen, Eli Lilly and Company, Menlo, Merck & Co., Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Novan, Qurient, National Biological Corporation, Caremark, Advance Medical, Sun Pharma, Suncare Research, Informa, UpToDate and National Psoriasis Foundation. He is also the founder and majority owner of www.DrScore.com and a founder and part owner of Causa Research. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.