Panthalla Vijayalakshmi1, Nagasayana Rao2, Tina Priseela3
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study and compare Tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) and clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%) in the management of vitiligo. To know the type of vitiligo, age and sex distribution, and to know the percentage of repigmentation and adverse effects encountered with Tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) and clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%).
RESULTS: In the present study 50 cases of vitiligo divided in to two equal groups treated with either Tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) or clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%) were included. In this study the peak incidence of vitiligo is in the age group of 21-30 years, with slight female preponderance (58%), focal form of vitiligo is common (36%), response to clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%) is 76% whereas with tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) it is 64%. Adverse effects with clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%) is seen in 7 patients (28%) and with tacrolimus in one patient (4%).
CONCLUSION: In the present study clinical efficacy of Tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) was almost equal to clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%) and Tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) had a fewer side effects than clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%) but the compliance was found to be better with clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%) due to its cost effectiveness.
