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Topical Corticosteroids

Also indexed as: Aclometasone Topical, Aclovate® Topical, Aeroseb-Dex® Topical, Alclometasone, Aristocort® Topical, Beclomethasone, Betamethasone Topical, Clobetasol, Clobetasol Topical, Clobetasone, Clocortolone Pivalate Topical, Cloderm® Topical, Cortaid® Topical, Cortef® Topical, Cortizone® Topical, Cortone® Topical, Cutivate® Topical, Decadron® Topical, Decaspray® Topical, Derma-Smoothe/FS® Topical, Desoximetasone Topical, Desoxymethasone, Dexamethasone Topical, Diflucortolone, Diprolene® Topical, Elocon® Topical, Florone® Topical, Fludroxycortide, Fluocinolone, Fluocinolone Topical, Fluocinonide, Fluocortolone, Fluonid® Topical, Flurandrenolone, Fluticasone Topical, FS® Shampoo, Halcinonide, Hydrocortisone Topical, Hytone® Topical, Kenalog® Topical, Locoid® Topical, Luxiq® Topical, Maxiflor® Topical, Maxivate® Topical, Mometasone Topical, Pandel® Topical, Proctocort® Topical, Psorcon® Topical, Synelar® Topical, Synemol® Topical, Temovate® Topical, Topicort® Topical, Triamcinolone, Triamcinolone Topical, Westcort® Topical

Combination drugs: Alphaderm®, Betnovate-C®, Betnovate-N®, Calmurid HC®, Canesten HC®, Daktacort®, Dermovate-NN®, Diprosalic®, Econacort®, Eurax HC®, Eurax-Hydrocortisone®, FuciBET®, Fucidin H®, Gregoderm®, Locoid C®, Lotriderm®, Mycolog®, Nystaform-HC®, Quinocort®, Synalar C®, Synalar N®, Terra-Cortril Nystatin®, Terra-Cortril®, Timodine®, Vioform-Hydrocortisone®

Corticosteroids are applied to the skin to treat mild to severe inflammation and itching resulting from conditions such as insect bites, allergic reactions, diaper rash, eczema, and psoriasis. They are combined with antibiotics to treat ear infections, eye infections, and skin infections caused by bacteria. They are also combined with antifungal agents to treat fungal and yeast infections of the ear and skin.

The information in this article pertains to topical corticosteroids in general. The interactions reported here may not apply to all the Also Indexed As terms. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these drugs.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Zinc and Biotin
Children with alopecia areata who supplemented 100 mg of zinc and 20 mg biotin each day, combined with topical clobetasol, showed more improvement compared to children who took oral corticosteroid drugs.1 Controlled research is needed to determine whether adding oral zinc and biotin to topical clobetasol therapy is more effective than clobetasol alone. However, until more information is available, caregivers should consider that children with alopecia who are currently taking oral corticosteroids might benefit from switching to supplements of zinc and biotin along with topical clobetasol.

Interactions with Herbs

Aloe (Aloe vera)
In animal research, applying aloe gel topically along with a topical corticosteroid enhanced the hormone’s anti-inflammatory activity in the skin.2 No human research has investigated this effect.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
When applied to the skin, glycyrrhetinic acid (a chemical found in licorice) increases the activity of hydrocortisone.3 This effect might allow for less hydrocortisone to be used when combined with glycyrrhetinic acid, but further study is needed to test this possibility.4

Summary of Interactions for Topical Corticosteroids

Depletion or interference None known
Adverse interaction None known
Side effect reduction/prevention None known
Supportive interaction Biotin* (Clobetasol)
Licorice
Zinc* (Clobetasol)
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability None known
Other (see text) Aloe

For the convenience of the reader, the information in the summary is categorized as follows: “Depletion or interference” indicates the drug may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the supplement or herb. “Adverse interaction” indicates that the supplement or herb used together with the drug may result in undesirable effects. “Side effect reduction/prevention” indicates the supplement or herb may reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the drug. “Supportive interaction” indicates the supplement or herb may support or aid the function of the drug. “Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability” indicates that the supplement or herb may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the drug in the body. An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

References:

1. Camacho FM, Garcia-Hernandez MJ. Zinc aspartate, biotin, and clobetasol propionate in the treatment of alopecia areata in childhood. Pediatr Dermatol 1999;16:336–8 [letter].

2. Davis RH, Parker WL, Murdoch DP. Aloe vera as a biologically active vehicle for hydrocortisone acetate. J Am Podiatric Med Assoc 1991;81:1–9.

3. Teelucksingh S, Mackie ADR, Burt D, et al. Potentiation of hydrocortisone activity in skin by glycyrrhetinic acid. Lancet 1990;335:1060–3.

4. Chen MF, Shimada F, Kato H, et al. Effect of glycyrrhizin on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone following low dosage of prednisolone hemisuccinate. Endocrinol Japon 1990;37:331–41.