Comparing the efficacy of topical clobetasol 0.05% plus 5-fluorouracil 5% cream vs. topical clobetasol 0.05% alone in treatment of vitiligo

Background: vitiligo is an acquired, autoimmune melanocytic disorder characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules and patches. it affects approximately 0.5-2% of the general population worldwide. many medical treatments have been attempted with partial success, but there has been no previous trial on the combination of topical 5-fluorouracil (5fu) 5% and clobetasol. methods: the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of topical clobetasol (as a standard method for treatment of vitiligo) versus a combination of topical clobetasol plus 5fu. in this double-blind clinical trial study, 45 patients who had at least two vitiligo patches were treated with topical clobetasol on one side of the body, and with a combination of clobetasol and 5fu on the other side. treatment was repeated every other day, once a day, for three months. at the end of the treatment, patients were visited again to be evaluated for the therapeutic efficacy of the drugs. results: paired t-test revealed a significant improvement in both sides (the right side which was treated with 5-fu+clobetasol and the left side which was treated with clobetasol alone). therefore, both drugs seem to have been effective in the improvement of vitiligo (p < 0.0001). comparing the percentage of improvement in the lesion size, there was a statistical difference between the two groups (right side = 38.1 ± 4.3%, left side =24.2 ± 3.3%; p < 0.0001). conclusions: adding topical 5fu to clobetasol increases its efficacy in treatment of vitiligo without significant side effects.