Once-a-day topical corticosteroids

doi:10.1136/dtb.1995.33321

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 1995;33:21-22; doi:10.1136/dtb.1995.33321

Once-a-day topical corticosteroids

Relevant BNF section: 13.4

Topical corticosteroids have transformed the management of inflammatoryskin diseases since their introduction in the 1950s. Hydrocortisonewas the first to be marketed, and since then steroids with greatertopical activity have been synthesised. Two products, mometasonefuroate ( ${blacktriangledown}$ Elocon - Schering-Plough) and fluticasone propionate( ${blacktriangledown}$ Cutivate - Glaxo), both of which are classed as "potent" steroids,^1,2are now marketed in the UK for once-daily application. Theirmanufacturers claim that they are as effective when used inthis way as other potent steroids applied more frequently.