A comparison of single and multiple applications of halcinonide cream.

A double-blind paired comparison was made of once daily and three times daily regimens of 0.1% halcinonide cream in 149 patients with atopic dermatitis and 194 with psoriasis. In a simultaneously conducted study once daily application of 0.1% halcinonide was compared to the cream base alone (placebo) in 48 patients with atopic dermatitis and 78 with psoriasis. Results show that a once daily regimen can be an effective treatment in both conditions, and can be recommended as a starting regimen in certain circumstances such as the treatment of young children or pregnant women, or where long-term treatment is likely. The three times daily regimen, however, was superior overall, and is still recommended as the treatment of choice, at least in severe psoriasis.