Topical Steroid Potency Strength Chart

A topical steroid potency chart is a tool that can be used to compare the relative strengths of different topical steroids. This can be helpful when deciding which steroid to use for a particular condition. The chart is typically divided into four categories: mild, moderate, potent, and super potent. Each category corresponds to a range of strength, with mild being the weakest and super potent being the strongest.

Topical steroids are often used to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions. Steroids come in a variety of formulations, including creams, ointments, gels, and solutions.

The strength of a steroid is measured by its potency. Potency is defined as the amount of active ingredient in a formulation that is necessary to produce a desired effect. The higher the potency, the more powerful the drug.

Potency Strength Brand Name Generic Name
Super-potent
Ultra-high
Diprolene Ointment, 0.05% Augmented betamethasone dipropionate
Cormax Cream/Solution, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Clobex Lotion/Spray/Shampoo, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Olux Foam, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Olux E Foam, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Temovate Cream/Ointment/Solution, 0.05% Clobetasol propionate
Topicort Topical Spray, 0.25% Desoximetasone
Psorcon Ointment, 0.05%; Augmented diflorasone diacetate
Psorcon E Ointment, 0.05% Diflorasone diacetate
Vanos Cream, 0.1% Fluocinonide
Cordran Tape, 4mcg/sq. cm. Flurandrenolide 4 mcg/cm2
Lexette Foam, 0.05% Halobetasol propionate
Ultravate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% Halobetasol propionate
Ultravate Lotion, 0.05% Halobetasol propionate
Bryhali Lotion, 0.01% Halobetasol propionate
High Cyclocort Ointment, 0.1% Amcinonide
Diprolene Ointment, 0.05% Betamethasone dipropionate
Diprolene Cream/Lotion, 0.05% Augmented betamethasone dipropionate
Topicort Cream/Ointment, 0.25% Desoximetasone
Topicort Gel 0.05% Desoximetasone
Florone Cream, 0.05% Augmented Diflorasone diacetate
Florone Ointment, 0.05% Diflorasone diacetate
Lidex Cream/Gel/Ointment/Solution, 0.05% Fluocinonide
Halog Ointment/Cream, 0.1% Halcinonide
Elocon Ointment, 0.1% Mometasone furoate
Cyclocort Cream/Lotion 0.1% Amcinonide
Diprolene AF Cream 0.05% Betamethasone dipropionate
Diprolene Lotion 0.05% Betamethasone dipropionate
Psorcon Cream, 0.05% Diflorasone diacetate
Cutivate Ointment, 0.005% Fluticasone propionate
TRIDERM Triamcinolone acetonide 0.5%
Moderate
(Medium)
Luxiq Aerosol Foam 0.12% Betamethasone valerate
Topicort LP Cream, 0.05% Desoximetasone
Synalar Ointment 0.025% Fluocinolone acetonide
Cordran Ointment, 0.05% Flurandrenolide
Westcort Ointment, 0.2% Hydrocortisone valerate
Elocon Cream/Lotion, 0.1% Mometasone furoate
Kenalog Cream/Ointment, 0.1% Triamcinolone acetonide
Kenalog Spray, 0.2% Triamcinolone acetonide
CREAM: BETA-VAL/BETADERM; LOTION: VALISONE/BETA-VAL Betamethasone valerate 0.1%
Cloderm Cream, 0.1% Clocortolone pivalate
Synalar Cream 0.025% Fluocinolone acetonide
Capex Shampoo Fluocinolone acetonide
Derma-Smoothe/FS Fluocinolone acetonide
Cutivate Cream/Lotion 0.05% Fluticasone propionate
Cordran Cream/Lotion, 0.05% Flurandrenolide
Locoid Cream/Lotion/Ointment/Solution, 0.1% Hydrocortisone butyrate
Pandel Cream, 0.1% Hydrocortisone probutate
WESTCORT Cream Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2%
DermAtop Cream/Ointment, 0.1% Prednicarbate
Low Aclovate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% Alclometasone dipropionate
LOTION, CREAM, OINT: DESOWEN; GEL: DESONATE/DESRX; FOAM: VERDESO 3 Desonide 0.05%
Synalar Cream/Solution, 0.01% Fluocinolone acetonide
LOTION, GEL, CREAM, OINT: CORTIZONE 10; SOLUTION: SCALPICIN/TEXACORT 7 Hydrocortisone 0.5% - 2.5%
Cetacort Lotion, 0.5%/1% Hydrocortisone
Cortaid Cream/Spray/Ointment 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

Topical Steroid Ladder

Commonly referred to as the topical steroid ladder, the list below contains a list of the main corticosteroid creams ranging from mild to super potent.

A steroid ladder is a tool that can be used to help gradually reduce the strength of a topical steroid. This can be helpful when trying to wean off of steroids or when attempting to find the lowest effective dose. The ladder is typically divided into four rungs, with each rung corresponding to a different potency. For example, the first rung may be a very low-potency steroid, while the fourth rung may be a high-potency steroid.

The initial idea behind the ladder is to start with a potent steroid and then slowly move down to a weaker one as your condition improves. This allows you to find the lowest effective dose while still getting relief from your symptoms.

Very potent or super potent (up to 600 times as potent as hydrocortisone)

  • Clobetasol propionate
  • Betamethasone dipropionate (in an optimised vehicle)

Potent (100–150 times as potent as hydrocortisone)

  • Betamethasone valerate
  • Betamethasone dipropionate (cream, ointment, gel)
  • Diflucortolone valerate
  • Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate
  • Mometasone furoate
  • Methylprednisolone aceponate

Moderate (2–25 times as potent as hydrocortisone)

  • Clobetasone butyrate
  • Triamcinolone acetonide

Mild

  • Hydrocortisone
  • Hydrocortisone acetate

 

Our Mission at TSW Assist

TSW Assist provides crowd-sourced solutions to help maanage topical steroid withdrawal.

Through community recommendations from people who suffer from topical steroid withdrawal, there are routines, treatments, and therapies that can help manage the topical steroid withdrawal process. Our purpose is to empower the TSW community with data and solutions to improve their skin health, reduce inflammation, and reduce their suffering during the withdrawal period.

 

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