Abstract
Danthron (1,8,-dihydroxyanthraquinone) ointment was prepared at concentrations of 1% and 10% by mixing the drug into petrolatum. Twenty-one patients with psoriasis were treated with this ointment every day by ODT (occlusive dressing technique) or just simple topical application. Clinical effects of this treatment were assessed four weeks after starting the therapy. Excellent improvement was noted in 5 cases, good improvement in 9 cases, moderate improvement in 3 cases and no effect in 4 cases with 1% or 10% danthron ointment. Clearance of erythema and decrease in skin thickness were observed in the effective cases. On the other hand, no side effects including either skin atrophy, redness, itching, irritation, or folliculitis appeared in 20 cases, whereas redness and irritation were seen in one case. Thus, topical treatment with 1% or 10% danthron ointment seems to be effective in bringing psoriatic lesions under control.
