Mometasone Moment

As a first-line treatment for vulvar lichen sclerosus, mometasone furoate appears to be as safe and effective as clobetasol propionate.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) causes itching, burning, pain, painful intercourse, sexual dysfunction, bleeding, and other genital miseries, including scarring. Topical applications of the ultrapotent steroid clobetasol propionate 0.05% (CP) for 3 months provides effective, safe, and reliable first-line therapy (British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines: strength of recommendation B; quality of evidence 2++). CP has some theoretical medical-legal risks, as prescribing guides and package inserts limit treatment to only 2 weeks and do not specifically address treating VLS. Mometasone furoate 0.1% (MMF) is a potent topical steroid recently suggested to work just as well as CP, with perhaps greater safety. Studies suggest twice-weekly ap…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Mometasone Moment

Topics

Reviewing Author