A double-blind, multicenter comparison of 0.05% halobetasol propionate ointment and 0.05% clobetasol propionate ointment in patients with chronic, localized plaque psoriasis.

In a double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter trial in 134 patients with severe, localized, plaque psoriasis, the success rate (described as "healed" or "marked improvement") at the end of the study was 96% in the halobetasol propionate group and 91% in the clobetasol propionate group. A significantly larger proportion of patients treated with halobetasol had no disease or mild disease after 14 days compared with those treated with clobetasol (86% versus 70%, p = 0.023). Healing within 24 days of starting treatment was noted in 69% and 56% of patients treated with halobetasol and clobetasol, respectively. Adverse effects were reported in a smaller percentage of patients treated with halobetasol propionate ointment than in those treated with clobetasol propionate ointment (7% versus 12%). Cosmetic acceptability and ease of application were recorded as "very good" in a larger percentage of patients treated with halobetasol propionate ointment than in the group treated with clobetasol propionate (90% versus 80%).