Water-miscible dithranol cream in the treatment of psoriasis

Dithranol was prepared in water-miscible O/W cream formulations at 1, 2 and 4% concentrations. These creams were stable after up to 15 months storage at room temperature. When used for short-contact (10 to 20 minutes) therapy in 29 psoriasis patients, the results with 4% cream were similar to the published results with 1% dithranol in Lassar's paste or in petrolatum. Irritation was minimal. Electron microscopic studies before and after treatment revealed no ultrastructural alterations, in particular no damage to the mitochondria.