Topical corticosteroid

Group I
(Ultra high potency topical
corticosteroid)
Group II
(High potency topical
corticosteroid)

Group III
(High potency topical
corticosteroid)

Clobetasol propionate cream

(0.05%)
Diflorasone diacetate ointment
(0.05%)
Amcinonide ointment (0.1%)
Betamethasone dipropionate
ointment (0.05%)
Desoximetasone (cream or
ointment 0.025%)
Fluocinonide (cream,
ointment, or gel 0.05%)
Halcinonide cream (0.1%)
Betamethasone dipropionate
cream (0.05%)
Betamethasone valerate
ointment (0.1%)
Diflorasone diacetate cream
(0.05%)
Triamcinolone acetonide
ointment (0.1%)

Topical
corticosteroid
Group IV
(Moderate potency
topical corticosteroid)

Desoximetasone cream (0.05%)

Fluocinonide acetonide ointment
(0.025%)
Hydrocortisone valerate ointment
(0.2%)
Triamcinolone acetonide cream
(0.1%)

Group V
(Moderate potency
topical corticosteroid)

Betamethasone dipropionate lotion

(0.02%)
Betamethasone valerate cream
(0.1%)
Fluocinonide acetonide cream
(0.025%)
Hydrocortisone butyrate cream
(0.1%)
Hydrocortisone valerate cream

Topical
corticosteroid
Group VI
(Low potency
topical
corticosteroid)
Group VII
(Low potency
topical
corticosteroid)

Betamethasone valerate lotion

(0.05%)
Desonide cream (0.05%)
Fluocinolone acetonide solution
(0.01%)
Dexamethasone sodium phosphate
cream (0.1%)
Hydrocortisone acetate cream (1%)
Methylprednisolone acetate cream
(0.25%)

Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV.

Glucocorticosteroids. Dermatology. 3rd ed. 2012. Ch
125; 2075-88

Systemic
corticosteroid
Short acting
Hydrocortisone
(cortisol)
cortisone
Intermediate-acting
Prednisone
Prednisolone
Methylprednisolo
ne
triamcinolone
Long-acting
Dexamethasone

Glucocorti
coid
potency

Mineralocorti
coid potency

Plasma
Half-life
(min)

Duration
of action
(h)

20

0.8

90

8-12

25

30

8-12

5
5
4
4

0.25
0.25
0
0

60
200
180
300

16-36
12-36
12-36
12-36

0.75

200

36-54

Werth VP. Systemic glucocorticoid. In: wolff K, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, Gilchrest
BA, Paller AS, Leffell DJ, editor. Fitzpatrickss Dermatology in General
Medicine. 8th ed. New york: McGraw-Hill;2012.p.2715