Allergens in corticosteroid vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Whereas allergy to vehicle ingredients (ie, excipients and preservatives) in topical steroid vehicles is well recognized, there are no data regarding which vehicle ingredients are in common use or on which vehicles and active molecules are associated with which ingredients.


OBJECTIVE
To produce descriptive data on the use of allergenic vehicle ingredients in prescription topical corticosteroids.


METHODS
The package insert for every steroid in widespread use in the United States was obtained from the manufacturer and used to generate an ingredient list for the product.


RESULTS
There are seven vehicle ingredients that are commonly used in topical corticosteroid vehicles that are well-known allergens: propylene glycol, sorbitan sesquioleate, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, parabens, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone, lanolin, and fragrance. Of 166 topical corticosteroids, 128 (including all creams) had at least one of these vehicle ingredients. More generic products were free of allergens than were branded products. Solutions and ointments were the least allergenic vehicles. The most commonly present potential allergens were propylene glycol and sorbitan sesquioleate.


CONCLUSIONS
Most prescription topical corticosteroids have the potential to cause allergic contact dermatitis owing to vehicle ingredients. Dermatologists should be aware of this possibility and should consider prescribing agents that do not contain potentially allergenic vehicle ingredients.
Coloe
Jacquelyn
J
Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Zirwas
Matthew J
MJ
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006601:Hexoses / Q000032:analysis; D007809:Lanolin / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008737:Methyl Chloride / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009824:Ointments / Q000032:analysis; D010226:Parabens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010476:Perfume / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000032:analysis; D012996:Solutions / Q000032:analysis; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014481:United States
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006601:Hexoses; D009824:Ointments; D010226:Parabens; D010476:Perfume; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D012996:Solutions; D013844:Thiazoles; C512915:isothiazolidinone; C058854:sorbitan sesquioleate; D005557:Formaldehyde; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D007809:Lanolin; D008737:Methyl Chloride