The effect of alclometasone dipropionate cream 0.05% on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of normal volunteers.

In an open study of ten evaluable normal volunteers, 30 g of alclometasone dipropionate cream 0.05% was applied to 80% of body surface each morning and evening for 21 days. A plastic body suit effectively occluded the treated area for 12 hours/day. As demonstrated by continued normal levels of 8 a.m. plasma cortisol and 24-hour urinary 17-hydroxysteroid and free cortisol, no suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis occurred. Local adverse reactions were mild and transient.