ATC Group: D07AC Corticosteroids, potent (group III)

Amcinonide is a topical corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive effects.

Beclometasone is a pro-drug with weak glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity. It is extensively hydrolysed via esterase enzymes to the active metabolite beclometasone-17-monopropionate (B-17-MP), which has potent topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Betamethasone is a glucocorticoid which is about eight to ten times as active as prednisolone on a weight-for-weight basis. Betamethasone has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties.

Budesonide is a glucocorticosteroid with a high local anti-inflammatory effect. At doses clinically equivalent to systemically acting glucocorticosteroids, budesonide gives significantly less HPA axis suppression and has a lower impact on inflammatory markers.

Desoximetasone is a synthetic corticosteroid. Topical corticosteroids share anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive actions. Desoximetasone is used for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.

Diflucortolone is a topically acting fluoridated corticosteroid which suppresses inflammation in inflammatory and allergic skin conditions and alleviates the subjective complaints such as itching, burning and pain.

Difluprednate is a topical corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery. Corticosteroids inhibit the inflammatory response to a variety of inciting agents and may delay or slow healing. There is no generally accepted explanation for the mechanism of action of ocular corticosteroids.

Fludroxycortide is a potent corticosteroid intended for topical use. It is primarily effective because of its anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive actions. The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of topical corticosteroids is not completely understood.

Fluocinolone acetonide is a synthetic fluorinated corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties.

Fluocinonide is a synthetic anti-inflammatory corticosteroid. Its mechanisms of action are related to vasoconstriction and suppression of membrane permeability, mitotic activity, the immune response and release of inflammatory mediators.

Fluocortolone pivalate inhibits inflammatory and allergic skin reactions, and alleviates subjective complaints such as pruritus, smarting, and pain. The substance reduces dilatation of the capillaries, oedema of the interstitial cells and infiltration of the tissues. Capillary multiplication is inhibited.

Fluticasone has anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive features. Fluticasone given by inhalation at recommended doses has a potent glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory action within the lungs, resulting in a reduction of both symptoms and exacerbations of asthma, with a lower incidence and severity of adverse effects than those observed when corticosteroids are administered systemically.

Hydrocortisone is the main glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid. Its anti-inflammatory action is due to reduction in the vascular component of the inflammatory response and reduction in the formation of inflammatory fluid and cellular exudates.

Mometasone is a topical glucocorticoid with local anti-inflammatory properties. It is likely that much of the mechanism for the effects of mometasone lies in its ability to inhibit the release of mediators of the inflammatory cascade.

Ulobetasol is a corticosteroid used for for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis. Corticosteroids play a role in cellular signaling, immune function, inflammation, and protein regulation; however, the precise mechanism of action in plaque psoriasis is unknown.