comparative study of the therapeutic effects of topical mometasone furoate 0.1% plus tretinoin 0.05% and topical mometasone furoate 0.1% plus eucerin in the treatment of vitiligo

conclusions combination therapy with tretinoin plus topical corticosteroids is safe and effective and provides an alternative in the treatment of patients with vitiligo. objectives recent studies suggest that administration of topical tretinoin, with a corticosteroid, diminishes skin atrophy without impacting the steroid’s anti-inflammatory effects. patients and methods a placebo-controlled, paired-comparison, left-right study was conducted for a period of 6 months on topical tretinoin 0.05% and mometasone furoate 0.1 % with topical mometasone furoate 0.1% and eucerin in 16 patients, diagnosed with generalized vitiligo. clinical responses and side effects were assessed after 3 and 6 months. results after 6 months treatment with topical mometasone furoate 0.1 % and tretinoin 0.05%, an excellent response was found in two (12.50%) patients, a moderate response in 13 (81.25%) and mild response in one (6.25%) patient. two patients (12.5%) showed side effects. after 6 months treatment with topical mometasone furoate 0.1% and eucerin, an excellent response was observed in one (6.25%) patient, a moderate response in eight (50%), mild response in six (37.5 %), and no response in one (6.25%) of the patients. eight (50%) patients had side effects. after 6 months treatment, the topical tretinoin 0.05% and mometasone furoate 0.1% had more efficacy than mometasone furoate 0.1% and eucerin (p = 0.02). background long-term treatments with topical corticosteroids, for diseases like vitiligo, are associated with the risk of skin atrophy.