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.

Double‐blind Clinical Comparisons of Topical Betamethasone Valerate and Betamethasone Benzoate in the Treatment of Steroid‐responsive Dermatoses

“…The results presented confirm the usefulness of the vasoconstriction test in prediction of clinical efficacy. The findings also agree with those of other investigators (Reid and Brookes, 1968; Caldwell et al , 1968; Ashurst et al , 1970) that more effective use of topical corticosteroids can be made by employing more efficient bases.…”

“…It has been stated that topical corticosteroid preparations often contain a higher concentration of steroid than is really necessary, or indeed desirable, a belief that is also supported by the common practice in hospitals of diluting some of these preparations as much as ten times without apparent loss of effect (Caldwell et al , 1968). The skin vasoconstrictor activity of betamethasone 17‐benzoate in alcoholic solution is similar to that of betamethasone 17‐valerate when tested according to the method of McKenzie and Stoughton.…”

Response of patients receiving high dose beclomethasone dipropionate

“…Beclomethasone dipropionate is a topically active corticosteroid (Caldwell et al, 1968) which is now used in inhaled form for the treatment of bronchial asthma. In doses of 400 ,ug daily it does not appear to suppress the pituitary-adrenal axis (Clark, 1972;Lal et al, 1972;Morrow Brown, Storey, and George, 1972;Gaddie et al, 1973).…”

Substitution of Beclomethasone Aerosol for Oral Prednisolone in the Treatment of Chronic Asthma

“…Beclomethasone dipropionate is a synthetic corticosteroid with a high index of topical activity (Caldwell et al, 1968). Administered by inhalation as an aerosol this drug is now being widely used in the treatment of chronic asthma, though its efficacy has not been adequately assessed.…”