THERAPEUTICAL NOTES   

Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2005 April;140(2):175-84

Copyright © 2005 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Clinical and instrumental study of the activity of a lotion containing lithium succinate, climbazole and zinc PCA for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp

Amato L., Chiarini C., Bellandi S., Terranova M., Fabbri P.

Department of Dermatology University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Aim. A 45-days not comparative study designed primarily to assess a treatment of scalp seborrheic dermatitis with a new topical lotion was conducted.
Methods. We performed a clinical trial in 15 patients (7 men and 8 women) affected by seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, assessing clinical activity and corneometric and sebometric evaluation after application of Sebofree Lotion® (Pfizer) containing lithium succinate, an anti-inflammatory agent, climbazole, an antifungal inhibiting ergosterol synthesis, zinc PCA (proline, 5-oxo, zinc salt) and salycilic acid to normalize sebum production, and acetylcysteine, to repair the epidermal damage. Treatment consisted of 2 daily applications for 45 days.
Results. After only 30 days of treatment, the following parameters were significantly reduced: erythema, scaling and oily scalp. Subjective symptoms were improved at first 15-day check-up. Corneometric values were not significantly reduced after 15 days and went back to baseline at 30 days. Sebometry showed a 25% reduction at 15 days and continued to decrease during following weeks, although slowly.
Conclusion. Sebofree lotion was efficacious as local therapy of seborrheic dermatitis without significant side effects.