Abstract
Monotherapy with the topical steroid preparation beclometasone diproprionate (Propaderm®) ointment (monotherapy group) and combination therapy with this ointment and the antiallergic agent oxatomide (Celtect®)(combination therapy group) were compared in 66 patients with pruritic eczema of the external auditory canal, to examine the effect of oxatomide on itching. In the final analysis, itching was more greatly reduced in the combination therapy group than in the monotherapy group (p<0.05). Better results were obtained in the combination therapy group. The combination therapy group reported final overall improvement as “improved” or better in 82% of cases as compared to 41% in the monotherapy group (p<0.01). As for usefulness, the combination therapy group reported the drugs as “useful” or better in 83% of cases as compared to 41% in the monotherapy group (p<0.01). Adverse reactions of slight sleepiness and angular stomatitis were reported in 2 of the 66 cases. These results suggest that the combination therapy of oxatomide and the topical steroid agent, Propaderm, is effective in the treatment of pruritic eczema of the external auditory canal.
