Class A: Hydrocortisone and tixocortol type
Cortisone
Cortisone acetate
Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone acetate
Methylprednisolone
Methylprednisolone acetate
Prednisolone
Prednisolone acetate
Tixocortol pivalate
Class B: Triamcinolone acetonide type
Triamcinolone acetonide
Triamcinolone alcohol
Halcinonide
Flucinonide
Flucinonide acetonide
Desonide
Budesonide
Amcinonide
Class C: Betamethasone type
Betamethasone
Betamethasone – disodium phosphate
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone – disodium phosphate
Fluocortolone
Class D: Hydrocortisone – 17-butyrate and clobetasone-17-butyrate type
Hydrocortisone butyrate
Hydrocortisone valerate
Clobetasone butyrate
Clobetasol propionate
Betamethasone valerate
Betamethasone dipropionate
Fluocortolone hexanoate
Fluocortolone pivalate
Prednicarbate
Alclometasone dipropionate
Prevention
Patients allergic to some corticosteroids should be told which of these four previously described classes of agents they should avoid.
Because two products in class A are available without a prescription – hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone acetate – the ingredient list of any medicated cream, lotion, or the like should be examined before purchasing, to be certain that it does not contain either agent.
Individuals who are allergic to agents in class B may also react to agents in class D.
May be duplicated for use in clinical practice. From Marks JG Jr, Elsner P, DeLeo VA:Contact and occupational dermatology, ed 3, St Louis, 2002, Mosby.
