Topical steroids

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Background

  • The USA system utilizes 7 classes, which are classified by their ability to constrict capillaries
  • Class I is the strongest and Class VII is the weakest[1]

Classification

Group I

Very potent: up to 600 times stronger than hydrocortisone

Group II

Group III

Group IV

Group V

Group VI

Group VII

The weakest class of topical steroids. Has poor lipid permeability, and can not penetrate mucous membranes well.

Topical Steroid Potency Ranking[2]

Brand name Generic name
CLASS 1—Superpotent
Clobex Lotion/Spray/Shampoo, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Cordran Tape, 0.05% Flurandrenolide
Cormax Cream/Solution, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Diprolene Ointment, 0.05% Betamethasone dipropionate
Olux E Foam, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Olux Foam, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Psorcon Ointment, 0.05% Diflorasone diacetate
Psorcon E Ointment, 0.05% Diflorasone diacetate
Temovate Cream/Ointment/Solution, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Topicort Topical Spray, 0.25% Desoximetasone
Ultravate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% Halobetasol propionate
Ultravate Lotion, 0.05% Halobetasol propionate
Vanos Cream, 0.1% Fluocinonide
CLASS 2—Potent
Diprolene Cream AF, 0.05% Betamethasone dipropionate
Elocon Ointment, 0.1% Mometasone furoate
Florone Ointment, 0.05% Diflorasone diacetate
Halog Ointment/Cream, 0.1% Halcinonide
Lidex Cream/Gel/Ointment, 0.05% Fluocinonide
Psorcon Cream, 0.05% Diflorasone diacetate
Topicort Cream/Ointment, 0.25% Desoximetasone
Topicort Gel, 0.05% Desoximetasone
CLASS 3—Upper Mid-Strength
Cutivate Ointment, 0.005% Fluticasone propionate
Lidex-E Cream, 0.05% Fluocinonide
Luxiq Foam, 0.12% Betamethasone valerate
CLASS 4—Mid-Strength
Cordran Ointment, 0.05% Flurandrenolide
Elocon Cream, 0.1% Mometasone furoate
Kenalog Cream/Spray, 0.1% Triamcinolone acetonide
Synalar Ointment, 0.03% Fluocinolone acetonide
Topicort LP Cream, 0.05% Desoximetasone
Topicort LP Ointment, 0.05% Desoximetasone
Westcort Ointment, 0.2% Hydrocortisone valerate
CLASS 5—Lower Mid-Strength
Capex Shampoo, 0.01% Fluocinolone acetonide
Cordran Cream/Lotion/Tape, 0.05% Flurandrenolide
Cutivate Cream/Lotion, 0.05% Fluticasone propionate
DermAtop Cream, 0.1% Prednicarbate
DesOwen Lotion, 0.05% Desonide
Locoid Cream/Lotion/Ointment/Solution, 0.1% Hydrocortisone
Pandel Cream, 0.1% Hydrocortisone
Synalar Cream, 0.03%/0.01% Fluocinolone acetonide
Westcort Cream, 0.2% Hydrocortisone valerate
CLASS 6—Mild
Aclovate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% Alclometasone dipropionate
Derma-Smoothe/FS Oil, 0.01% Fluocinolone acetonide
Desonate Gel, 0.05% Desonide
Synalar Cream/Solution, 0.01% Fluocinolone acetonide
Verdeso Foam, 0.05% Desonide
CLASS 7—Least Potent
Cetacort Lotion, 0.5%/1% Hydrocortisone
Cortaid Cream/Spray/Ointment Hydrocortisone
Hytone Cream/Lotion, 1%/2.5% Hydrocortisone
Micort-HC Cream, 2%/2.5% Hydrocortisone
Nutracort Lotion, 1%/2.5% Hydrocortisone
Synacort Cream, 1%/2.5% Hydrocortisone

See Also

References

  1. Habif, Thomas P. (1990). Clinical dermatology: a color guide to diagnosis and therapy (2nd ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. p. Inside front cover. ISBN 0-8016-2465-7.
  2. Fang J. Dermatology. In: The Harriet Lane Handbook. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2015