Potencies of topical steroids
Topical steroid medications come in various strengths, ranging from very strong, or superpotent (Class 1), to very weak, or least potent (Class 7). Those who have stopped responding to a steroid of a particular strength or potency may not respond to a steroid of an equal or lower strength. The potency chart on below provides the potencies of a variety of steroid medications used to treat psoriasis.
Generally, the stronger the steroid, the more effective it is in clearing psoriasis, but the risk of side effects is also greater. The base, or formulation, of a steroid medication can also influence how much medication is absorbed into the tissue. Steroids come in a variety of bases, such as creams, ointments, gels, sprays, solutions, lotions, foam and tape.
Potency chart
The following potency chart categorizes brand-name topical steroid medications along with the name of the corresponding generic drug. The medications are listed in order of their potency. Please note that the percentage of ingredient in the medication does not necessarily correlate with the strength of the steroid. The list may not be comprehensive.
| BRAND NAME |
GENERIC NAME |
| CLASS 1 - Superpotent |
| Clobex Lotion/Spray/Shampoo, 0.05% |
Clobetasol propionate |
| Cormax Cream/Solution, 0.05% |
Clobetasol propionate |
| Diprolene Ointment, 0.05% |
Betamethasone dipropionate |
| Olux E Foam, 0.05% |
Clobetasol propionate |
| Olux Foam, 0.05% |
Clobetasol propionate |
| Temovate Cream/Ointment/Solution, 0.05% |
Clobetasol propionate |
| Ultravate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% |
Halobetasol propionate |
| Vanos Cream, 0.1% |
Fluocinonide |
| Psorcon ointment, 0.05% |
Diflorasone diacetate |
| Psorcon E ointment, 0.05% |
Diflorasone diacetate |
| CLASS 2 - Potent |
| Diprolene Cream AF, 0.05% |
Betamethasone dipropionate |
| Elocon Ointment, 0.1% |
Mometasone furoate |
| Florone Ointment, 0.05% |
Diflorasone diacetate |
| Halog Ointment/Cream, 0.1% |
Halcinonide |
| Lidex Cream/Gel/Ointment, 0.05% |
Fluocinonide |
| Psorcon Cream 0.05% |
Diflorasone diacetate |
| Topicort Cream/Ointment, 0.25% |
Desoximetasone |
| Topicort Gel, 0.05% |
Desoximetasone |
| CLASS 3 - Upper Mid-Strength |
|
Cutivate Ointment, 0.005% |
Fluticasone propionate |
| Lidex-E Cream, 0.05% |
Fluocinonide |
| Luxiq Foam, 0.12% |
Betamethasone valerate |
| Topicort LP Cream, 0.05% |
Desoximetasone |
| CLASS 4 - Mid-Strength |
| Cordran Ointment, 0.05% |
Flurandrenolide |
| Elocon Cream, 0.1% |
Mometasone furoate |
| Kenalog Cream/Spray, 0.1% |
Triamcinolone acetonide |
| Synalar Ointment, 0.03% |
Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Westcort Ointment, 0.2% |
Hydrocortisone valerate |
| CLASS 5 - Lower Mid-Strength |
| Capex Shampoo, 0.01% |
Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Cordran Cream/Lotion/Tape, 0.05% |
Flurandrenolide |
| Cutivate Cream/Lotion, 0.05% |
Fluticasone propionate |
| DermAtop Cream, 0.1% |
Prednicarbate |
| DesOwen Lotion, 0.05% |
Desonide |
| Locoid Cream/Lotion/Ointment/Solution, 0.1% |
Hydrocortisone |
| Pandel Cream, 0.1% |
Hydrocortisone |
| Synalar Cream, 0.03/0.01% |
Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Westcort Cream, 0.2% |
Hydrocortisone valerate |
| CLASS 6 - Mild |
| Aclovate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% |
Alclometasone dipropionate |
| Derma-Smoothe/FS Oil, 0.01% |
Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Desonate gel, 0.05% |
Desonide |
| Synalar Cream/Solution, 0.01% |
Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Verdeso Foam, 0.05% |
Desonide |
| CLASS 7 - Least Potent |
| Cetacort Lotion, 0.5%/1% |
Hydrocortisone |
| Cortaid Cream/Spray/Ointment, 1% | Hydrocortisone |
| Hytone Cream/Lotion, 1%/2.5% | Hydrocortisone |
| Micort-HC Cream, 2%/2.5% | Hydrocortisone |
| Nutracort Lotion, 1%/2.5% | Hydrocortisone |
| Synacort Cream, 1%/2.5% | Hydrocortisone |
Updated February 2008
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