A Novel Aerosol Foam Formulation of Calcipotriol and Betamethasone Has No Impact on HPA Axis and Calcium Homeostasis in Patients With Extensive Psoriasis Vulgaris

J Cutan Med Surg. 2016 Jan;20(1):44-51. doi: 10.1177/1203475415597094. Epub 2015 Jul 29.

Abstract

Background: Fixed combination calcipotriol 50 µg/g (Cal; as hydrate) plus betamethasone 0.5 mg/g (as dipropionate; BD) has been formulated in an innovative aerosol foam.

Objective: To assess systemic safety of Cal/BD aerosol foam.

Methods: In a multicentre, single-arm, open-label, maximal-use systemic-exposure trial, adult patients with moderate to severe, extensive psoriasis (15%-30% of body surface area, including ≥30% of scalp) applied Cal/BD foam once daily. Endpoints were week 4 abnormal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge test and change in albumin-corrected serum calcium, 24-hour urinary calcium excretion, and urinary calcium-creatinine ratio.

Results: 35 patients reaching week 4 exhibited normal ACTH responses. At week 4, changes in calcium homeostasis were minor and not clinically relevant; no patients experienced elevations above normal. Disease severity generally improved, and 49% of patients achieved treatment success according to the Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Severity.

Conclusion: No clinically relevant HPA axis or calcium homeostasis impact was observed with 4 weeks of once-daily Cal/BD foam in patients with extensive psoriasis vulgaris.

Keywords: dermatology; psoriasis.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols
  • Betamethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Calcitriol / administration & dosage
  • Calcitriol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Psoriasis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • calcipotriene
  • Betamethasone
  • Calcitriol
  • Calcium