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

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.

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)

May be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better.	Biotin* (Clobetasol) Licorice Zinc* (Clobetasol)
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details.	Aloe
Depletion or interference	None known
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known
Adverse interaction	None known

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

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.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2005.