Drug Groups

approved

Description

A corticosteroid used topically in the treatment of various skin disorders. It is usually employed as a cream or an ointment, and is also used as a polyethylene tape with an adhesive. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p733)

Indication

For relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, particularly dry, scaling localized lesions

Pharmacology

Flurandrenolide is primarily effective because of its anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive actions.

Toxicity

Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids has produced reversible hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, manifestations of Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria in some patients

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Primarily hepatic

Absorption

Once absorbed through the skin, topical corticosteroids are handled through pharmacokinetic pathways similar to those of systemically administered corticosteroids

Protein Binding

Corticosteroids are bound to plasma proteins in varying degrees.

Elimination

Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from normal intact skin. They are metabolized primarily in the liver and then excreted in the kidneys. Some of the topical corticosteroids and their metabolites are also excreted into the bile.

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