Tazarotene and Imiquimod Offer Similar Efficacy in Treating Plane Warts, reports study

Plane warts, particularly when multiple and recurrent, can be challenging to treat and may negatively impact a patient's quality of life. For lesions located in cosmetically sensitive areas, topical treatments are often preferred to minimize potential sequelae. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of tazarotene 0.1% gel and imiquimod 5% cream in treating plane warts.

In this parallel three-arm randomized controlled trial, 60 patients were assigned to one of three groups: imiquimod, tazarotene, or placebo. Patients applied the corresponding treatment once daily at night for up to 12 weeks. The primary outcomes measured were the percentage of respondents with complete clearance and the type and frequency of side effects in each group.

The key findings of the study were as follows:

• Complete clearance was achieved in 50% of patients, while 15% experienced partial response and 35% showed no response.

• Complete clearance was achieved in 40% of patients, with another 40% experiencing partial response and 20% showing no response.

• There was no significant difference in treatment efficacy between the imiquimod and tazarotene groups (P=0.190).

• Both active treatments provided significant improvement over baseline and the placebo group (P=0.001).

• However, tazarotene 0.1% gel may offer advantages such as a safer profile regarding dyspigmentation and a lower cost.

Both treatments were generally well-tolerated, with no significant safety concerns reported. Side effects, including local irritation and inflammation, were manageable and did not differ significantly between the groups.

Tazarotene 0.1% gel appears to offer equivalent efficacy to imiquimod 5% cream in treating plane warts. Moreover, it provides maintained efficacy without recurrence, a safer profile regarding dyspigmentation, and an advantageous cost benefit. These findings suggest that tazarotene could be a preferred option for treating plane warts, particularly in cosmetically significant areas.

Reference:

Nofal, H., Omran, F., ElKholy, B., Nofal, S., & Nofal, A. (2024). Tazarotene is as effective and tolerable as imiquimod in the treatment of verruca plana, a comparative randomized clinical trial. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ced/llae133