Abstract: Mao Hongqun*, Luan Chao, Zong Wenkai, Yao Xu, Liu Yi, Lin Lin, Cui Pangen, Chen Min. *Department of Dermatology, Fuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuyang 311400, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: Chen Min, Email: drchenmin@126.com 【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony combined with levocetirizine and tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of severe facial corticosteroid-dependent dermatitis. Methods Ninety-eight patients with severe facial corticosteroid-dependent dermatitis were enrolled in this study, and assigned into the test group （n = 63） and control group （n = 35）. The test group were treated with oral total glucosides of paeony capsules and levocetirizine as well as topical 0.03% tacrolimus ointment, and the control group with oral levocetirizine and topical 0.03% tacrolimus ointment only. The facial symptoms and signs of patients were observed and scored at week 2 and 4 after starting treatment as well as at week 2 after drug withdrawal. The response rate in these patients was calculated. Results Totally, 8 patients （3 in the test group and 5 in the control group） were lost to follow up, and the remaining 90 patients completed the treatment finally. The response rate in the test group was significantly higher than that in the control group at week 2 （50.0% （30/60） vs. 16.7% （5/30）, P < 0.05） and 4 （93.3% （56/60） vs. 60.0% （18/30）, P < 0.05） after starting treatment. During the 2 weeks after drug withdrawal, total symptom scores continuously decreased in all the patients in the test group and in 53.3% （16/30） of the patients in the control group, maintained unchanged in 26.7% （8/30） and increased in 20.0% （6/30） of the patients in the control group. No severe adverse reactions were observed in either of the two groups during the study period. Conclusion Total glucosides of paeony capsules can improve the efficacy of levocetirizine and topical tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of severe facial corticosteroid-dependent dermatitis.

Key words: Dermatitis, corticosteroid-dependent, RADIX PAEONIAE ALBA, Treatment outcome