Levamisole therapy in atopic dermatitis. Randomized double-blind evaluation

A randomized double-blind study of levamisole hydrochloride therapy in 36 patients with atopic dermatitis is reported. No improvement was noted in any of several assessments, which included patients' subjective impressions; physicians' clinical impressions; comparison of clinical extent and severity scores; and incidence of cutaneous infections or lessening of serum IgE levels. A trend toward improvement was seen in a majority of cases, whether treatment was with a placebo or an active drug. This study emphasizes the need for double-blind techniques for therapeutic trial in the management of patients with atopic dermatitis.