Relative Potency of Topical Corticosteroid Preparations

Abstract

Efficacy of ten topical corticosteroid preparations was evaluated on ten healthy volunteers by wheal suppression technique of Reddy and Singh motified by Singh and Singh. This double bind study revealed that clobetasol propionate (0.05%) and halcinonide (0.01%) oinment were the potent steroids i.e. 5 to 6 times more potent than hydrocortisone acetate ( 1%). Prednisolone (0.025%0 and hydrocortisone acetate ( 1%) were the least potent. The potency of other of other preparations such as fluocinolone acetonide (0.025%), betamethasone valerate (0.120/o), betamethasone dipropionate (0.64%), dexamethasone (0.04%), beclomethasone dipropiotiate (p.025%) and triamcinolone acetonide (0.1%) was in between. Mid potent steroids were, however 2 times more potent than hydrocortisone acetate (1%) The potency Of these -three groups of steroid preparations were significantly different from each other . The most potent steroids showed maximum efficacy on the 6th day and the remainig steroids on 8th day of continuous application under occlusion.