Topical steroids are commonly prescribed to manage inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. These medications are available in various formulations, including creams, ointments, gels, and solutions, each suited to different skin types and areas of the body.
The effectiveness of a topical steroid is determined by its potency, which reflects the concentration of the active ingredient required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Higher-potency steroids deliver stronger effects but carry a greater risk of side effects, especially with long-term use, while lower-potency options are typically considered safer and prescribed for extended application or use on sensitive areas.
| 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 |
Clobetasol Comparisons
What is the difference between clobetasol and betamethasone?
Clobetasol propionate is a superpotent corticosteroid, typically used for severe inflammatory skin conditions. Betamethasone dipropionate is a potent corticosteroid, suitable for moderate to severe conditions. Clobetasol is classified as stronger than betamethasone.
Is clobetasol stronger than hydrocortisone?
Yes, clobetasol propionate is significantly stronger than hydrocortisone. Clobetasol is classified as a superpotent corticosteroid, while hydrocortisone is a low-potency corticosteroid.
What is stronger: clobetasol or triamcinolone?
Clobetasol propionate is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide. Clobetasol is a superpotent corticosteroid, while triamcinolone is a medium-potency corticosteroid.
How does fluocinonide compare to clobetasol?
Fluocinonide is a high-potency corticosteroid, whereas clobetasol propionate is a superpotent corticosteroid. Clobetasol is stronger than fluocinonide.
How does halobetasol compare to clobetasol?
Halobetasol propionate and clobetasol propionate are both superpotent corticosteroids, and their strengths are similar. The choice depends on specific formulation and clinical considerations.
How does clobetasol propionate compare to triamcinolone acetonide?
Clobetasol propionate is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide. Clobetasol is classified as superpotent, while triamcinolone is medium-potency.
How does clobetasol compare to fluocinonide?
Clobetasol propionate is stronger than fluocinonide. Clobetasol is superpotent, while fluocinonide is classified as high-potency.
Betamethasone Comparisons
What is the difference between betamethasone and hydrocortisone?
Betamethasone is a potent corticosteroid, while hydrocortisone is a low-potency corticosteroid. Betamethasone is stronger and used for more severe inflammatory conditions compared to hydrocortisone.
How does betamethasone compare to triamcinolone?
Betamethasone is classified as a potent corticosteroid, whereas triamcinolone is a medium-potency corticosteroid. Betamethasone is stronger than triamcinolone.
How does betamethasone dipropionate compare to triamcinolone acetonide?
Betamethasone dipropionate is a potent corticosteroid, while triamcinolone acetonide is medium-potency. Betamethasone dipropionate is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide.
How does betamethasone valerate compare to betamethasone dipropionate?
Betamethasone dipropionate is stronger than betamethasone valerate. Both are potent corticosteroids, but dipropionate is used for more severe conditions.
Is betamethasone stronger than prednisone?
Betamethasone, when applied topically, is stronger than prednisone. Prednisone is primarily used as an oral corticosteroid and has systemic effects, whereas betamethasone is used topically for localized conditions.
How does betamethasone compare to fluocinonide?
Betamethasone dipropionate is a potent corticosteroid, while fluocinonide is classified as a high-potency corticosteroid. Fluocinonide is stronger than betamethasone in most formulations.
How does betamethasone compare to clobetasol?
Clobetasol propionate is a superpotent corticosteroid, while betamethasone dipropionate is a potent corticosteroid. Clobetasol is stronger than betamethasone.
Triamcinolone Comparisons
How does triamcinolone compare to hydrocortisone?
Triamcinolone is a medium-potency corticosteroid, while hydrocortisone is a low-potency corticosteroid. Triamcinolone is stronger than hydrocortisone.
Is triamcinolone stronger than mometasone?
Mometasone furoate is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide. Mometasone is classified as a potent corticosteroid, while triamcinolone is medium-potency.
How does triamcinolone compare to clobetasol?
Clobetasol propionate is a superpotent corticosteroid, while triamcinolone acetonide is a medium-potency corticosteroid. Clobetasol is significantly stronger than triamcinolone.
How does fluocinonide compare to triamcinolone?
Fluocinonide is a high-potency corticosteroid, while triamcinolone acetonide is a medium-potency corticosteroid. Fluocinonide is stronger than triamcinolone.
What is stronger: triamcinolone 0.1% or 0.025%?
Triamcinolone 0.1% is stronger than triamcinolone 0.025% due to its higher concentration of the active ingredient.
How does triamcinolone compare to cortisone?
Triamcinolone is a medium-potency corticosteroid, while cortisone is a low-potency corticosteroid. Triamcinolone is stronger than cortisone.
How does triamcinolone acetonide compare to mometasone furoate?
Mometasone furoate is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide. Mometasone is a potent corticosteroid, while triamcinolone is medium-potency.
How does triamcinolone acetonide compare to hydrocortisone cream?
Triamcinolone acetonide is stronger than hydrocortisone cream. Triamcinolone is medium-potency, while hydrocortisone is low-potency.
How does triamcinolone compare to betamethasone for eczema?
Betamethasone dipropionate is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide. Betamethasone is a potent corticosteroid, while triamcinolone is medium-potency.
How does triamcinolone ointment compare to cream?
Triamcinolone ointment is generally more occlusive and better for dry, thickened skin, while triamcinolone cream is lighter and better suited for moist or weeping areas. Both have the same active ingredient and potency.
Hydrocortisone Comparisons
How does hydrocortisone compare to clobetasol?
Clobetasol propionate is a superpotent corticosteroid, while hydrocortisone is a low-potency corticosteroid. Clobetasol is significantly stronger than hydrocortisone.
How does hydrocortisone compare to triamcinolone?
Triamcinolone acetonide is a medium-potency corticosteroid, while hydrocortisone is a low-potency corticosteroid. Triamcinolone is stronger than hydrocortisone.
Is betamethasone stronger than hydrocortisone?
Yes, betamethasone dipropionate is stronger than hydrocortisone. Betamethasone is classified as a potent corticosteroid, while hydrocortisone is low-potency.
How does hydrocortisone compare to desonide?
Desonide is a low-potency corticosteroid, similar in classification to hydrocortisone. Both are used for mild inflammatory skin conditions, but hydrocortisone is generally considered slightly less potent than desonide.
Is hydrocortisone cream stronger than ointment?
No, hydrocortisone ointment is stronger than cream due to its more occlusive nature, which enhances absorption of the active ingredient.
How does hydrocortisone 2.5% compare to 1%?
Hydrocortisone 2.5% is stronger than 1% due to its higher concentration of the active ingredient. Both are classified as low-potency corticosteroids.
Mometasone Comparisons
Is triamcinolone stronger than mometasone?
No, mometasone furoate is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide. Mometasone is classified as a potent corticosteroid, while triamcinolone is medium-potency.
How does mometasone compare to triamcinolone for eczema?
Mometasone furoate is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide and is typically used for more severe eczema cases. Both can be effective depending on the severity and location of eczema.
How does mometasone furoate compare to triamcinolone acetonide?
Mometasone furoate is more potent than triamcinolone acetonide. Mometasone is classified as potent, while triamcinolone is medium-potency.
Fluocinonide Comparisons
How does fluocinonide compare to clobetasol?
Clobetasol propionate is stronger than fluocinonide. Clobetasol is classified as a superpotent corticosteroid, while fluocinonide is high-potency.
How does fluocinonide compare to triamcinolone?
Fluocinonide is stronger than triamcinolone acetonide. Fluocinonide is classified as a high-potency corticosteroid, while triamcinolone is medium-potency.
What’s the difference between fluocinonide and fluocinolone?
Fluocinonide is a high-potency corticosteroid, while fluocinolone acetonide is a low-potency corticosteroid. Fluocinonide is used for more severe inflammatory skin conditions compared to fluocinolone.
How does fluocinonide compare to betamethasone?
Fluocinonide is typically stronger than betamethasone dipropionate. Fluocinonide is high-potency, while betamethasone is potent.
Desonide Comparisons
How does desonide compare to hydrocortisone?
Desonide is slightly stronger than hydrocortisone. Both are classified as low-potency corticosteroids, but desonide has a slightly higher efficacy.
How does desonide compare to triamcinolone acetonide?
Desonide is weaker than triamcinolone acetonide. Desonide is a low-potency corticosteroid, while triamcinolone is medium-potency.
