CLINICAL EVALUATION OF A NEW TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROID BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE

Abstract

SUMMARY. —Beclomethasone dipropionate is a new topical steroid with marked vasoconstrictor and anti‐inflammatory activity. At a concentration of 0·025% in a simple, oil‐in‐water emulsion “cream” base beclomethasone dipropionate is significantly more effective clinically than is fluocinolone acetonide 0·025%) in an apparently similar base. The effectiveness of beclomethasone dipropionate 0·025% in an ointment base is significantly increased by dissolving the steroid in propylene glycol before incorporating it into the ointment. Beclomethasone dipropionate 0·025% in a propylene glycol/ointment base is clinically indistinguishable from fluocinolone acetonide 0·025% ointment. Further investigation of the influence of cream and ointment bases on the clinical effectiveness of topical steroids might prove interesting.