Effectiveness and Patient Acceptance of Halcinonide 0.1% Cream in 216g Jars for Large-area Steroid-responsive Dermatoses

Abstract

When treating patients with extensive dermatitis, total body surface area affected must be considered when prescribing topical medication. Halcinonide 0.1% cream, a class 2 topical corticosteroid, is now available in a 216g jar. This large size is convenient and cost effective for patients with large-area dermatoses.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy and patient acceptance of halcinonide in 216g jars for the treatment of large-area dermatoses.

Design: This study was an open-label, noncomparator trial evaluating the clinical outcomes and acceptability of halcinonide in 216g jars. Halcinonide was prescribed twice daily for up to 28 days.

Measurement: Severity of dermatoses was based on investigator observations at the baseline visit and again after 28 days. Patient satisfaction was evaluated based on a questionnaire completed at the conclusion of the study.

Results: Total enrollment was 40 patients. Dermatoses affected an average of 12 percent body surface area. At baseline, all patients exhibited dermatoses rated as severe or moderate. Nearly half of patients were completely cleared or almost cleared by 28 days, with all patients noting at least some improvement. Most patients agreed that they liked the way the product spread on the skin (94.7%), and more than 80 percent found that it was neither sticky nor greasy. In more than 90 percent of cases, the investigator reported that halcinonide provided a shorter duration of therapy versus triamcinolone one-pound jars.

Conclusion: Halcinonide 0.1% cream in 216g jars is effective and convenient for patients with large-area dermatoses.

Figure 1

Average body surface area affected. Dermatoses affected 2–26% of patients' body surface area. Average area affected was 12% (N=40).

Figures 2A and 2B

Investigator assessment of severity of dermatosis at Baseline and Day 28. At Baseline, all patients exhibited dermatoses rated as severe or moderate by the investigator. Use of halcinonide 0.1% cream in 216g jars for 28 days decreased the severity of dermatoses by at least one score in all patients. Nearly half of patients (47.4%) were completely cleared or almost cleared by the end of the study.

Figures 2A and 2B

Investigator assessment of severity of dermatosis at Baseline and Day 28. At Baseline, all patients exhibited dermatoses rated as severe or moderate by the investigator. Use of halcinonide 0.1% cream in 216g jars for 28 days decreased the severity of dermatoses by at least one score in all patients. Nearly half of patients (47.4%) were completely cleared or almost cleared by the end of the study.

Figure 3A

Documented clinical improvement of a 47-year-old Caucasian man with psoriasis affecting 5% of his BSA. Severity of psoriasis at Baseline (A) was rated severe. After 28 days of halcinonide 0.1% cream twice daily (B), psoriasis improved to almost clear.

Figure 3B

Documented clinical improvement of a 30-year-old Caucasian man with psoriasis affecting 22% of his BSA. Severity of psoriasis at Baseline (A) was rated severe. After 28 days of halcinonide 0.1% cream twice daily (B), psoriasis improved to almost clear.

Figure 3C

Documented clinical improvement of a 30-year-old Caucasian woman with psoriasis affecting 15% of her BSA. Severity of psoriasis at Baseline (A) was rated severe. After 28 days of halcinonide 0.1% cream twice daily (B), psoriasis improved to almost clear/mild.

Figure 4

Patient acceptability. Upon completion of the study, patients were given a questionnaire that asked about their experience with halcinonide 0.1% cream in 216g jars (N=38).