INDICATIONS:

• Provide symptomatic relief of inflammation and/or pruritis of corticosteroid-responsive skin disorders such as dermatitis, eczema, insect bites and burns.

DOSE:

• Generally lotions are less potent than creams, which are less potent than ointments.
• All should be used sparingly.
• Avoid the eyes.
• Apply to the skin one to four times a day, the higher potency preparations should be applied less frequently.

• Low Potency:
  • Hydrocortisone (Hytone): 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2.5%
  • Desonide (DesOwen): 0.05%
  • Fluocinolone acetonide (Synalar): 0.01%

• Medium Potency:
  • Fluocinolone acetonide (Synalar): 0.025%
  • Triamcinolone acetonide (Aristocort/Kenalog): 0.025%, 0.1%
  • Betamethasone valerate cream (Valisone): 0.1%

• High Potency:
  • Triamcinolone acetonide (Aristocort/Kenalog): 0.5%
  • Betamethasone valerate ointment (Valisone): 0.1%
  • Betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone): 0.05%
  • Fluocinonide (Lidex): 0.05%

• Areas of use:
  • Low Potency: Sensitive areas such as the face, eyelids and skin folds (neck, armpits and groin).
  • Medium Potency: The scalp, arms, legs and body.
  • High Potency: For short term use only on affected areas that did not improve with a lower potency steroid.

SUPPLIED:

• Hydrocortisone (Hytone - OTC/Rx)
  • CREAM: 0.5%, 1%(OTC), and 2.5% - 30 gm
  • OINTMENT: 1% and 2.5% - 30 gm
  • LOTION: 0.5%, 1% and 2.5% - 60 ml, 120 ml

• Desonide (DesOwen - Rx)
  • CREAM: 0.05% - 15 gm, 60 gm
  • OINTMENT: 0.05% - 15 gm, 60 gm
  • LOTION: 0.05% - 60 ml

• Fluocinolone acetonide (Synalar - Rx)
  • CREAM: 0.01%, 0.025% - 15 gm, 60 gm
  • OINTMENT: 0.025% - 15 gm, 60 gm
  • SOLUTION: 0.01% - 20 ml, 60 ml

• Triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog, Aristocort - Rx)
  • CREAM: 0.025%, 0.1% and 0.5% - 15 gm, 60 gm
  • OINTMENT: 0.025%, 0.1% and 0.5% - 15 gm, 60 gm
  • LOTION: 0.025% and 0.1% - 15 ml, 60 ml

• Betamethasone valerate (Valisone - Rx)
  • CREAM: 0.1% - 15 gm, 45 gm
  • OINTMENT: 0.1% - 15 gm, 45 gm
  • LOTION: 0.1% - 60 ml

• Betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone - Rx)
  • CREAM: 0.05% - 15 gm, 45 gm
  • OINTMENT: 0.05% - 15 gm, 45 gm
  • LOTION: 0.05% - 20 ml, 60 ml

• Fluocinonide (Lidex - Rx)
  • CREAM: 0.05% - 15 gm, 30 gm, 60 gm
  • OINTMENT: 0.05% - 15 gm, 30 gm, 60 gm
  • SOLUTION: 0.05% - 60 ml

COST:

• Relatively inexpensive medications.
• Most are generically available.

CAUTIONS:

• Should be applied sparingly to the affected area and generally not used for more than 2 weeks.
• Frequent dosing or extended therapy may result in serious side effects such as adrenal suppression, Cushing syndrome and growth retardation due to systemic absorption.
• Keep away from the eyes, use with caution on the face and in the genital area (use low potency products only).

COMMENTS:

• Tight fitting diapers and plastic pants should be avoided when these products are used in the diaper area.
• Only the OTC hydrocortisone products (0.5% or 1% cream) should be used for minor skin irritations such as insect bites and poison ivy.

Monograph last updated: December 1st, 1999