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.