Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety Topical 5-Fluorouracil 0.5% in Treatment of Resistant Vitiligo [Alone or After Microneedling]; A pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic acquired disorder characterized by the depigmented macules. There are many treatment options, but the response is variable and unsatisfactory. Topical 5-fluorouracil used in many dermatological diseases but, this is the first study to date that use 0.5% concentration in vitiligo treatment.The Aim of The Work: This study evaluates efficacy and safety topical 5-fluorouracil in 0.5% concentration in treatment of resistant vitiligo either alone or after microneedling.Subject and Methods: 30 patients with resistant vitiligo were enrolled into the study; we studied only 2 patches in every patient. The first patch treated with one session of microneedling followed by topical 5-fluorouracil 0.5% once daily for 2 weeks. The second patch treated with topical 5-fluorouracil 0.5% only for 2 weeks, then follow up of both patches for 3 months.Results: Excellent response achieved in 46.7% of the patches treated with microneedling followed by topical 5-fluorouracil 0.5%, while only in 23.3% of the patches treated with topical 5-fluorouracil 0.5% alone. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding response, despite this the degree of improvement was higher in combined treatment.Conclusion: Topical 5-fluorouracil 0.5% is an effective and safe in treatment of resistant vitiligo and combined therapy increases the efficacy.

Keywords

• 5-fluorouracil 0.5%
• microneedling
• pigmentation
• vitiligo