A half-sided, single-blind, comparative study of a new modified formulation of 1% hydrocortisone/10% urea and 0.1% betamethasone valerate cream in the treatment of dry eczema showed that the two products were equally effective at the end of 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment in terms of efficacy and speed of action. No statistically significant differences could be detected between either preparation in any of the trial's measures (i.e. overall severity score, dryness/scaling, erythema, papules, itching, excoriation or lichenification) at any of the weekly assessments. The incidence of side-effects was the same with both treatments and patients' preference was equally divided between the two creams.

The treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in 3 periods with a double fluorated corticosteroid-carbamide-ointment, a hydrocortisone, carbamide-ointment and a carbamide-ointment without steroid will be demonstrated. This treatment shows by the base of the tachyphylaxia of the corticosteroid and the biodemand excellent results with a minimum of corticosteroid application.

Four commercially available topical preparations of cortisol, Alphaderm, Calmurid HC, Efcortelan and Topisone, had trace quantities of tritiated cortisol added to them. The resultant radiolabelled creams were applied to the dorsum of the pig and the penetration of the steroid was assessed. Alphaderm was shown to deliver approximately 16.0 times more cortisol to the skin than Topisone, approximately 8.0 times more than Efcortelan and approximately 3.0 times more than Calmurid HC.

The bio-availabilities and activities of commercial creams (Metosyn, Synalar, Betnovate, Locoid, Alphaderm, Dioderm and Efcortelan 1%) were assessed using a multiple dosage regimen vasoconstrictor assay in ten volunteers. The blanching response first increased but then diminished with continued application over a 5-day period: following a 2-day 'resting period', when no steroid was applied, the application sites recovered considerably but tachyphylaxis again resulted from subsequent repeated applications. Acute tolerance occurred with the hydrocortisone formulations (Alphaderm, Dioderm and Efcortelan 1%) in a manner similar to that observed with the potent preparations. Metosyn was significantly more active (P less than 0.05), and Efcortelan 1% was significantly less active (P less than 0.05), than the other formulations. Apart from the reversal of Dioderm and Alphaderm the rank order of preparations was similar to that previously noted in the 6 h occluded single-application vasoconstrictor test. The results may have significance in dosage from design and application for topical corticosteroid formulations.

A double-blind controlled trial was carried out over a period of 3 weeks to assess the effectiveness of 1% hydrocortisone, in a specialized carbamide drug delivery system, compared with 0.1% betamethasone 17-valerate cream in the treatment of 21 patients with bilateral, symmetrical, non-infective inflammatory dermatoses. The trial preparations were applied topically twice daily, each to one side only during the trial. Although overall patient preference tended to favour betamethasone 17-valerate, the physician's assessment of clinical improvement, based on severity rating scores, indicated that both preparations were equally effective and there were no significant differences between the calculated mean percentage clinical improvements at the end of each week.

Six proprietary hydrocortisone creams were evaluated for vasoconstrictor activities and bio-availabilities using an occluded blanching test. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the formulations. Dioderm, containing 0-1% hydrocortisone, was significantly more active than the 1% hydrocortisone creams--Alphaderm, Calmurid HC, Efcortelan and Vioform-Hydrocortisone. There was no significant difference between Dioderm and Dioderm C. Unlike creams containing more potent corticosteroids the hydrocortisone formulations apparently failed to produce steroid reservoirs in the stratum corneum as assessed by the blanching response.