A comparison of the potencies of several diluted and undiluted corticosteroid preparations using the vasoconstrictor assay.
10 subjects were assessed using the vasoconstrictor assay technique in a double-blind study in order to evaluate the relative potencies of several diluted and undiluted proprietary corticosteroid preparations. Dermovate ointment achieved a significantly higher score than any other preparation but there was no significant difference between the scores for Betnovate ointment (betamethasone valerate 0.1%), Propaderm Forte cream (beclomethasone dipropionate 0.5%), Propaderm ointment (beclomethasone dipropionate 0.025%), Nerisone Forte ointment (diflucortolone valerate 0.3%), and Nerisone ointment (diflucortolone valerate 0.1%). Furthermore, no significant difference in scores could be demonstrated between Adcortyl ointment (triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%), Ledercort ointment (triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%) and extemporaneous dilutions of these ointments 1 part in 4 in their recommended diluents (triamcinolone acetonide 0.025%). The relevance of these findings to clinical practice is discussed.
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004060:Diflucortolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; C013486:diflucortolone valerate; C010893:clobetasone butyrate; D002990:Clobetasol; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide; D004060:Diflucortolone