title: Prednicarbate (Dermatop): profile of a corticosteroid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical steroids have been a popular choice for treating various cutaneous disorders; however, the potential for significant local and systemic adverse events, like skin atrophy and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, has limited their use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews the topical steroid prednicarbate through its mechanism of action, clinical efficacy, and adverse events profile.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published literature containing the word "prednicarbate" was examined and summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prednicarbate is a nonhalogenated, double-ester derivative of prednisolone that has been used in the treatment of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis. It has a favorable benefit-risk ratio, low skin atrophy potential, and high anti-inflammatory action.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These characteristics make prednicarbate an ideal alternative agent for children, elderly patients, and those who require long-term intermittent treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Science Center, Sunnybrook site and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. agupta@execulink.com
authors.forename: Aditya K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Melody
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; C035287:prednicarbate