Compatibility of tacrolimus ointment with corticosteroid ointments of varying potencies.
BACKGROUND
Tacrolimus is often coadministered with various topical corticosteroids in the treatment of steroid-responsive dermatoses; however, the stability of these products in combination has not been examined extensively.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the in vitro compatibility of three tacrolimus-corticosteroid ointment combinations compared with unmixed controls.


METHODS
Tacrolimus-clobetasol propionate, tacrolimus-desoximetasone, and tacrolimus-hydrocortisone-17-valerate ointment combinations were prepared, stored with unmixed ointments at three temperature/humidity conditions, and evaluated for stability at days 0, 1, 2, 7, 14, and 28 via reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the rate of drug degradation in mixed and unmixed ointments over time or across temperatures for tacrolimus (time p = .94; temperature p = .44), clobetasol (time p = .98, temperature p = .30), desoximetasone (time p = .98; temperature p = .94), or hydrocortisone-17-valerate (time p = .87, temperature p = .36).


CONCLUSIONS
This study did not examine the compatibility of tacrolimus with nonointment formulations.


CONCLUSIONS
Tacrolimus-clobetasol propionate (superpotent), tacrolimus-desoximetasone (high potent), and tacrolimus-hydrocortisone-17-valerate (midpotent) ointment combinations are chemically compatible for at least 4 weeks.
Pappas
Lisa
L
Wayne State School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
Kiss
Alex
A
Levitt
Jacob
J
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004355:Drug Stability; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D009824:Ointments; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus