Abstract
A multicentre, randomized, open, prospective, parallel-group trial was carried out to compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of topical treatment with tacalcitol ointment (4 μg/g, applied once daily) with that of short-contact dithranol therapy. The tolerability of tacalcitol was significantly (P=0.002) better and its efficacy was slightly better. Tacalcitol proved to be less (P<0.001) irritant than dithranol and did not stain the skin or clothes. The results suggest that tacalcitol is more convenient to use in plaque-type psoriasis than dithranol and does not produce the side-effects of topical corticosteroids and tar, making the drug a first-line treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis.
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