The Journal of dermatological treatment
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of 3% diclofenac sodium gel and 5% imiquimod cream in the treatment of actinic keratosis.
Topical diclofenac and imiquimod have been reported to be effective in the treatment of actinic keratosis, but a study to compare these two drugs has not been reported yet. ⋯ The two drugs were found to be equally effective and safe in the treatment of actinic keratosis but complete remission was very low. Therefore, topical treatments with these two drugs were not seen to be completely effective, and combined therapies and further studies are needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of two cyclosporine dosage regimens for the treatment of severe psoriasis.
Few reports have been issued which compare the efficacy and tolerability of cyclosporine dose adjustments before 12 weeks of treatment. ⋯ This study suggests that the 'step-down' cyclosporine regimen offers an effective and safe therapeutic option for the management of severe psoriasis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The efficacy of combined PUVA and low-dose azathioprine for early and enhanced repigmentation in vitiligo patients.
Immunosuppressive agents are used widely in the treatment of vitiligo. Corticosteroids are used either alone or as adjuvant therapy by many practitioners. Cyclophosphamide and cycloporine-A have also been used with variable success. Azathioprine may have the potential for the treatment of vitiligo alone or in combination with other modalities. ⋯ Azathioprine may potentiate the repigmentary effects of PUVA therapy in vitiligo patients. A limitation of the study is the lack of validated measures for vitiligo assessment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomized study of the safety, absorption and efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% applied twice or four times daily in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Pimecrolimus cream 1% (Elidel), a non-steroid inhibitor of inflammatory cytokines, is effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, without corticosteroid-related side effects such as skin atrophy. It is indicated for twice-daily application. More frequent applications might be expected either to enhance efficacy or increase toxicity. This study compared the safety, efficacy and systemic absorption of pimecrolimus administered twice daily (recommended dose) and four times daily early in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. ⋯ The data suggest that increasing pimecrolimus application from twice daily to four times daily to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis for up to 3 weeks does not alter the safety profile nor does it increase the efficacy of treatment. Systemic absorption of pimecrolimus applied BID and QID is minimal and is not different between dosing regimens. Patients and physicians familiar with the potential hazards of overuse of topical corticosteroids should be reassured that if pimecrolimus is applied at twice the recommended BID dose for short periods of time, there is no effect on safety, tolerability, or systemic absorption.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
An observer-blind parallel-group, randomized, multicentre clinical and microbiological study of a topical clindamycin/zinc gel and a topical clindamycin lotion in patients with mild/moderate acne.
A topical acne treatment in which clindamycin phosphate equivalent to 1% clindamycin is presented in a gel formulation has received marketing authorizations in a number of EU and non-EU countries. Clindamycin/zinc gel contains zinc acetate in a formulation that reduces systemic absorption of clindamycin through the skin. ⋯ The equivalent efficacy and safety of clindamycin/zinc gel either once or twice daily to clindamycin lotion twice daily has been demonstrated. It is suggested that a treatment regime of one application per day may significantly enhance compliance and thus treatment success in acne patients.