Table 2.
Recommended Pharmacological Topical Agents for Facial Seborrheic Dermatitis in Adults
| Agent | Dose/Formulation | Schedule | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketoconazole | 1–2% cream/foam/gel | Twice daily for 4 weeks (cream) once daily for 2 weeks or twice daily for 4 weeks (foam/gel) | Significant reduction of Malassezia count by PCR evaluation (KTZ 2% cream)55 |
| Ciclopirox | 1% cream | Twice daily for 4 weeks | Limited data support the efficacy of ciclopirox vs other topical antifungal agents9 |
| Clotrimazole | 1% cream | Once daily for 3 weeks | Limited data support the short-term efficacy of clotrimazole vs corticosteroids23 |
| Desonide | 0.05% cream | Twice daily for 8 weeks | Similar efficacy vs non-steroidal AIAF product24 |
| Hydrocortisone | 1% cream | Once daily for 4 weeks | Limited data support the efficacy23 |
| Lithium succinate/gluconate | 8% ointment | Twice daily for 8 weeks | Limited data support the efficacy vs KTZ 2% cream24 |
| Pimecrolimus/Tacrolimus | 1% cream 0.03%-0.1% ointment | Once or twice daily for 4–8 weeks (acute phase), then once weekly for 12 weeks (maintenance therapy) | Better side effects profile vs topical corticosteroids41 |
Abbreviations: AIAF, anti-inflammatory and antifungal; KTZ, ketoconazole.