Single center, randomized, controlled, evaluator blinded, within-subject study to evaluate the irritation potential of diacerein1% ointment on normal skin of healthy volunteers, using a cumulative irritancy patch test (CIPT) procedure.

This study was designed to assess the cumulative irritation potential of diacerein 1% ointment in comparison with vehicle ointment, 0.2% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) (positive control), and 0.9% saline (negative control) on normal skin of healthy volunteers using a cumulative irritancy patch test (CIPT) procedure applied once daily for 21 days.

Key Inclusion Criteria:

• Is a healthy male or female (to be confirmed by medical history);
• Is 18 years of age or older;
• In the case of a female of childbearing potential, is using two acceptable forms of birth control;
• In the case of a female of childbearing potential, has a negative urine pregnancy test (UPT) on Day 1 prior to randomization and are willing to submit to a UPT at the end of study (EOS);
• Is free of any systemic or dermatological disorder, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, will interfere with the study results or increase the risk of AEs;
• Is of any Fitzpatrick Skin Type or race, providing the skin pigmentation will allow discernment of erythema

Key Exclusion Criteria:

• Has any visible skin disease at the application site which, in the opinion of the Investigator, will interfere with the evaluation of the test site reaction;
• Is using systemic/topical corticosteroids within 3 weeks prior to and/or during the study, or systemic/topical antihistamines 72 hours prior to and during the study;
• Is not willing to refrain from using systemic/topical anti-inflammatory analgesics such as aspirin, (occasional use of acetaminophen will be permitted);
• Is using medication which, in the opinion of the Investigator, will interfere with the study results;
• Is unwilling or unable to refrain from the use of sunscreens, cosmetics, creams, ointments, lotions or similar products on the back during the study;
• Has psoriasis and/or active atopic dermatitis/eczema;
• Has a known sensitivity or allergy to constituents of the materials being evaluated including diacerein, mineral oil, petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, D&C Yellow #10 and/or ethyl paraben;
• Has damaged skin in or around the test sites, including sunburn, excessively deep tans, uneven skin tones, tattoos, scars, excessive hair, numerous freckles, or other disfigurations of the test site;
• Has received treatment for any type of internal cancer within 5 years prior to study entry;
• Has any known sensitivity to adhesives; and/or
• Has received any investigational drug(s) within 4 weeks prior to study entry

Adverse event collection occurred from timing of first dose until completion of last study visit, i.e., 21 days.

Adverse events were not assessed at a patch site-specific level.

There were no limitations or caveats on this study.