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13.4 Topical corticosteroids 

Refer to guidance “Use of topical corticosteroids” and “Management of eczema/dermatitis”. 

Mildly Potent

Hydrocortisone 0.5%, 1% cream, ointment
(usually sufficient for childhood and facial eczema) 

NB Hydrocortisone butyrate (Locoid^®) is POTENT 

Moderately Potent  

Clobetasone butyrate 0.05% (Eumovate^®) cream, ointment 

Potent

Betamethasone valerate 0.1% (Betnovate^®) cream, ointment, lotion

Mometasone furoate 0.1% (Elocon^®) cream, ointment 

Very Potent  

Clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Dermovate^®) cream, ointment  (avoid in children) 

Corticosteroids with antimicrobial agents 

Mildly Potent

Canesten HC^® cream (clotrimazole, hydrocortisone 1%)

Daktacort^® cream, ointment (miconazole, hydrocortisone 1%)

Timodine^® cream (nystatin, benzalkonium chloride, dimethicone, hydrocortisone 0.5%)

Fucidin H^® cream, ointment (fusidic acid, hydrocortisone 1%) 

Moderately Potent

Trimovate^® cream (oxytetracycline, nystatin, clobetasone butyrate 0.05%) 

Potent

Synalar-C^® cream , ointment (fluocinolone acetonide 0.025%, cloquinol 3%)

FuciBET^® cream (fusidic acid, betamethasone 0.1%)   

Synalar-C^® may be preferred over FuciBET^® where the combination of an antimicrobial and corticosteroid is required (inflammatory skin conditions associated with bacterial or fungal infection, such as infected eczema), due to concerns over resistance to  FuciBET^®.  However, the antimicrobial agent should be selected according to the sensitivity of the infecting organism.

RAll preparations containing an antimicrobial agent should be applied regularly and for a short period (typically for no more than 7 days at a time) to reduce likelihood of bacterial resistance and sensitisation developing.

Corticosteroids with other agents

   Pigmanorm^® cream (hydroquinone, tretinoin, hydrocortisone) [unlicensed] may be prescribed by Dermatology specialists for melanin hyperpigmentation.

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