Topical Corticosteroid Therapy for Psoriasis-A Review of Clobetasol Propionate 0.025% Cream and the Clinical Relevance of Penetration Modification.

Topical corticosteroids (TCs) have played a central role, over the past several decades, as a treatment for many dermatologic disorders. A number of factors, including potency, anticipated efficacy, vehicle formulation, and patient preference, directly influence the success or failure of any TC. In this article, the author reviews and discusses the current literature on various aspects of TCs for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, including an overview of product selection tendencies of patients, conventional use and formulations of topical clobetasol propionate (CP) 0.05%, and the use of special additives (e.g., penetration enhancers) to increase CP potency. The author highlights data from recent studies that evaluated a new CP cream formulation that incorporates half the concentration of traditional CP (0.025%) without the loss of super-potency (Class I) status and without the use of traditional potency enhancement with propylene glycol.