Comparison of Betamethasone Oral Mini-Pulse Therapy With Oral Azathioprine in Progressive Non-Segmental Vitiligo

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

This study compared the efficacy and safety of betamethasone oral mini-pulse therapy (5-mg single dose for 2 consecutive days weekly, then tapered by 1 mg every month for 4 months) versus oral azathioprine (50 mg twice daily for 6 months, then tapered for 4 months) for the treatment of rapidly progressive non-segmental vitiligo. The number of patients who experienced arrest of progression was higher in the betamethasone group compared with the azathioprine group (19/23 vs 4/22 at 2 months, 17 vs 11 at 4 months, and 17 vs 14 at 6 months, respectively). Minor and reversible adverse events were observed in the betamethasone group. A single case of acute pancreatitis was reported in azathioprine group.

Although, efficacy was demonstrated in both groups, betamethasone demonstrated superiority, whereas azathioprine had a better adverse effect profile. The authors suggest that combination therapy starting with betamethasone and later adding azathioprine while tapering off betamethasone may help maintain efficacy while reducing adverse effects in patients with rapidly progressive non-segmental vitiligo.

– InYoung Kim, MD, PhD

Sent from my iPhone

Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

Please excuse the shortness of this message, as it has been sent from
a mobile device.