Efficacy and safety of topical halometasone in eczematous dermatoses in Indian population: an open label, noncomparative study

Efficacy and Safety of Halometasone Cream to Treat Chronic Generalized Eczema and the Effects of Halometasone Cream on Serum Cortisol Levels

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of halometasone cream to treat chronic generalized eczema and the effects of halometasone cream on serum cortisol (COR) levels. Sixty consecutive outpatients diagnosed with chronic generalized eczema between January and April 2017 were included and divided into groups A, B, and C with a lesion area of 30%–40%, 41%–50%, and 51%–60%, respectively. Groups A, B, and C were treated with halometasone cream with a daily dose of 15 g, 20 g, and 30 g for 7–14 days, respectively. Ten patients were randomly selected from each group for serum COR measurement at days 0, 7, and 14. On day 14, group B had significantly higher cure rate (47.1%) than groups A (17.9%) and C (13.3%) and significantly higher effectiveness rate (82.4%) than group C (40.0%) (all P < 0.05). Serum COR levels were not affected in group A but were reduced significantly in groups B and C on days 7 and 14 (all P < 0.05). No adverse reaction was observed. Halometasone cream appeared to relieve chronic generalized eczema effectively and safely. High dosage (≥20 g daily for 14 days) may temporarily reduce endogenous COR production substantially, although it may be more effective.

Halometasone monohydrate (0.05%) in occupational contact dermatitis

Objective:

The impact of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is often underestimated because of underreporting, and its management is also inadequate, especially in developing countries. Topical corticosteroids have remained the first line treatment but till date, there is no study on efficacy and safety of halometasone in OCD, and there is a paucity of data on its comparative efficacy in allergic and irritant variety. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of halometasone in OCD and to compare its effect in allergic and irritant types of OCD.

Methods:

The present study is a prospective, interventional, single arm clinical study conducted on 150 patients of OCD. Detailed history and clinical examination was done at baseline, and all enrolled patients underwent patch test with the Indian Standard Battery of allergens. Eczema severity was assessed by the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) scale, SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, and patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM). Change in quality of life was assessed by using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). After baseline assessments, they were prescribed halometasone 0.05% ointment and were followed up after 4 weeks, and efficacy variables were evaluated.

Results:

At follow-up, 19 patients were lost, and data of 131 patients were analyzed. After 4 weeks of halometasone therapy, there was statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement in SCORAD index, IGA, POEM, and DLQI. Considering improvement in IGA as treatment success criteria, treatment was found to be successful in 87.8%. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference in effect of halometasone in allergic and irritant OCD.

Conclusions:

Halometasone is efficacious with a good safety profile in patients with OCD, and there is no significant difference in efficacy of the drug in allergic and irritant OCD.

Halometasone 0.05% cream in eczematous dermatoses

OBJECTIVE

The authors aimed to document the real-life performance of halometasone 0.05% w/w cream in day-today practice through this multicenter, open-label, Phase 4 study in India.

METHODS

The authors enrolled 302 eligible patients either with acute or chronic eczema and treated them with halometasone 0.05% cream daily. Efficacy variables (i.e., investigator's global assessment and pruritis severity score) were assessed at baseline and end of study. Physician's global evaluation of efficacy was assessed at the end of treatment. Treatment response was assessed as either a success or failure based on improvement in investigator's global assessment.

RESULTS

Study population included 61.26 percent male and 38.74 percent female participants, with the average age being 30.79±14.52 (mean±SD) years. Contact dermatitis was seen in 22.52 percent of the study population. The mean (±SD) duration of primary diagnosis was 461.45 days (±854.67). The most common type observed was "chronic" (60.49%), followed by "acute" (24.83%) conditions. Levocetirizine was the most commonly prescribed concomitant medication (31.39%), followed by emollients (15.33%). The mean and median duration of therapy was 18.50 and 25 days, respectively. Post therapy, there was a significant (p<0.0001) reduction in the severity of eczema and pruritus. Therapeutic success defined as cure (85.43%) and improvement (11.26%) was seen in 96.69 percent of patients. Physician's global evaluation of efficacy showed that in 96.67 percent of patients, treatment produced either an "excellent" (31.67%) or "good" (65.00%) response. Adverse events were reported in only 0.99 percent (3/302), with erythema being most common (0.66%).

CONCLUSION

Halometasone is efficacious with a good safety and tolerability profile in patients with noninfected corticosteroid-responsive eczematous dermatoses.

Evaluation of Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) of Halometasone 0.05% and Fusidic Acid 2% W/W Topical Cream Versus FDC of Betamethasone Valerate 0.12% and Neomycin Sulphate 0.5% W/W Topical Cream in the Treatment of Infected Eczematous Dermatosis in Indian Subjects: A Randomized Open-Label Comparative Phase III Multi-Centric Trial

Aim:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fixed drug combination (FDC) halometasone 0.05% and fusidic acid 2% (group A) vs FDC betamethasone 0.12% and neomycin sulfate 0.5% cream (group B) in acute or chronic infected eczematous dermatosis, through a randomized open-label, comparative, multicentric study.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 152 patients were randomized to either Group A or Group B. EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index), IGA (Investigator's global assessment), scale for severity of eczema, pruritus, and safety parameters were assessed at baseline, Day 5/Day 10, Day 10/20, and Day 20/Day 30 for acute/chronic cases. Skin swabs were tested at screening, Day 10, and end of the study.

Results:

Staphylococcus aureus was the frequently encountered causative agent. There was a significant reduction within the study groups in EASI, IGA scales for severity of eczema, pruritus at various visits, compared to baseline. At the end of study, 83.87% in group A and 65.71% in group B were culture negative. Cure rate was 54.28% and 50% in group A and B, respectively. Five adverse events were reported in five patients, of which three patients withdrew from the study.

Conclusion:

Halometasone 0.05% and Fusidic acid 2% cream is effective, safe, well tolerated with comparable efficacy to the comparator in the treatment of acute and chronic infected eczematous dermatosis.