From the Research
Lovastatin cream is a recommended treatment for disseminated superficial porokeratosis (DSP), with a suggested application of 2% lovastatin cream to affected areas once or twice daily for 12 weeks. The treatment approach for DSP has evolved with the introduction of topical statins, which have shown promise in improving lesion severity and patient-reported outcomes. Key points to consider when using lovastatin cream for DSP include:
- The mechanism of action involves inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and promoting keratinocyte differentiation, addressing the abnormal keratinization characteristic of porokeratosis 1.
- Clinical trials have demonstrated improvements in DSP severity with lovastatin cream, with or without cholesterol, although the addition of cholesterol may have limited benefit 1.
- Side effects are generally mild and may include local irritation, redness, or dryness at application sites 1, 2.
- Patients should apply sunscreen and practice sun protection measures during treatment, as porokeratosis lesions can worsen with UV exposure.
- If no improvement is seen after 12 weeks, alternative treatments such as topical retinoids, 5-fluorouracil, calcipotriol, or procedural interventions may be considered 3. The most recent and highest quality study, a randomized clinical trial published in 2023, found that lovastatin cream improved DSP severity without serious adverse events, suggesting its potential as a primary treatment option 1.