Short contact therapy with tazarotene in psoriasis vulgaris

Background: We present the results of a multicentre, not controlled, clinical study on the tolerability and efficacy of tazarotene gel, used as short contact therapy (SCT), in psoriasis vulgaris. Objective: To evaluate whether irritant contact dermatitis caused by tazarotene was less frequent and/or less severe with SCT than with traditional therapy, and whether SCT with tazarotene was as effective as traditional therapy. Methods: Forty-three patients with plaque psoriasis were treated by SCT with 0.1% tazarotene gel (once daily application for 20 min, followed by washing with water). Treatment duration was 45 days. Results: Irritant contact dermatitis caused by tazarotene used as SCT was much less frequent and severe than traditional treatment with the same drug. SCT with tazarotene was effective in the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Conclusion: Tazarotene, used as SCT, was better tolerated than the same drug used as traditional treatment. Furthermore, SCT appeared to be as effective as traditional therapy with the same drug.