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No evidence of tachyphylaxis observed after halobetasol treatment for psoriasis

Researchers found no evidence of tachyphylaxis in patients who were treated with topical halobetasol 0.05% ointment for plaque psoriasis, according to results of a study.

Comprising 20 patients with plaque psoriasis, the study involved three phases (1, 2A and 2B), with each phase separated by a treatment vacation period. During phases 1 and 2A, the researchers randomly assigned two plaques to treatment with either halobetasol 0.5% or vehicle ointment application. In phase 2B, halobetasol 0.05% was applied to both plaques.

The researchers found no differences in time to clearance or time to reoccurrence within the treated plaques between phases 1 and 2A. The percentage of improvement was higher in phase 2A when compared with phase 1 due to the reduction of vehicle effort, according to the researchers.

During phase 2B, the researchers observed greater improvement for plaques previously treated with corticosteroids.

Among the plaques previously treated with halobetasol in phase 1 and 2A, a greater percentage of improvement on the Target Lesion Severity Scale was seen compared with plaques previously treated with the vehicle ointment, according to the researchers.

The researchers found that psoriasis plaques previously treated with halobetasol amplified the improvement when additional corticosteroid was applied.

Disclosure: Lebwohl was an investigator for Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. during 2012 to 2013.