From AAFP: Choosing Topical Corticosteroids and
C, cream; F, foam, G, gel; L, lotion; O ointment, So, solution
| Class/Potency | Name & Concentration | Formulation |
| Ultra-high (I) | Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% | O |
| Clobetasol propionate 0.05% | C, G, O, L, So, F | |
| High (II) | Fluocinonide 0.05% | C, G, O |
| Medium to high (III) | Fluticasone propionate 0.005% | O |
| Medium (IV) | Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% | C, O |
| Low-med (V) | Fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% | C |
| Low (VI) | Desonide 0.05% | C |
| Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% | So | |
| Least potent (VII) | Hydrocortisone 2.5% Hydrocortisone 1% (OTC) |
C, L |
Potency Ratings of Topical Corticosteroids
| MEDICATION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| POTENCY (GROUP) | GENERIC | DOSAGE VEHICLE | AVAILABLE SIZES |
|
Ultra high (I) |
Augmented betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% |
G,† O |
15, 45, 50 g |
|
Clobetasol propionate 0.05% |
L, Sh |
59, 118 mL (L); 118 mL (Sh) |
|
|
F |
50, 100 g |
||
|
C, G, O |
15, 30, 45 g (C, O); 15, 30, 60 g (G) |
||
|
C |
15, 30, 60 g |
||
|
Diflorasone diacetate 0.05% |
O |
15, 30, 60 g |
|
|
Fluocinonide 0.1% |
C |
30, 60 g |
|
|
Flurandrenolide 4 mcg per m2 |
T |
24” × 3” and 80” × 3” rolls |
|
|
Halobetasol propionate 0.05% |
C, O |
15, 50 g |
|
|
High (II) |
Amcinonide 0.1% |
O |
15, 30, 60 g |
|
Augmented betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% |
L |
30, 60 mL |
|
|
C |
15, 50 g |
||
|
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% |
O |
15, 45 g |
|
|
Desoximetasone |
C, O |
15, 60 g |
|
|
G |
15, 60 g |
||
|
Diflorasone diacetate 0.05% |
C |
15, 30, 60 g |
|
|
Fluocinonide 0.05% |
C,† G,† O |
15, 30, 60 g |
|
|
Halcinonide 0.1% |
C, O, So |
15, 30, 60, 240 g (C, O); 30, 60 mL (So) |
|
|
Medium to high (III) |
Amcinonide 0.1% |
C |
4, 15, 30, 60 g |
|
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% |
C |
15, 45 g |
|
|
Fluticasone propionate 0.005% |
O |
15, 30, 60 g |
|
|
Triamcinolone acetonide 0.5% |
C, O |
15 g |
|
|
Medium (IV and V) |
Betamethasone valerate |
C, L |
14, 45 g (C); 60 mL (L) |
|
F |
100 g |
||
|
Desoximetasone 0.05% |
C |
15, 60 g |
|
|
Fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% |
C, O |
15, 60 g |
|
|
Fluticasone propionate 0.05% |
C |
15, 30, 60 g |
|
|
Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% |
O |
5, 10, 15, 30, 45 g |
|
|
Hydrocortisone probutate 0.1% |
C |
15, 45, 80 g |
|
|
Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2% |
C, O |
14, 45, 60 g (C, O); 120 g (C) |
|
|
Mometasone furoate 0.1% |
C, L, O |
15, 45 g (C, O); 30, 60 mL (L) |
|
|
Triamcinolone acetonide 0.025% |
C, L, O |
15, 80, 454 g (C, O); 60 mL (L) |
|
|
Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% |
C, L,† O† |
15, 80, 454 g (C, O); 15, 60 mL (L) |
|
|
Low (VI) |
Alclometasone dipropionate 0.05% |
C, O |
15, 45, 60 g |
|
Desonide 0.05% |
G |
15, 30, 60 g |
|
|
C, O |
15, 60 g |
||
|
L |
60, 120 mL |
||
|
F |
100 g |
||
|
Fluocinolone 0.01% |
C |
15, 60 g |
|
|
Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% |
C |
5, 10, 15, 30, 45 g |
|
|
Least potent (VII) |
Hydrocortisone 1%, 2.5% |
C, L, O |
20, 30, 120 g (C, O); 60, 120 mL (L) |
C = cream; F = foam; G = gel; L = lotion; O = ointment; Sh = shampoo; So = solution; T = tape.
*— Generic is available.
†— Brand not available in this formulation.
‡— Brand no longer available in the United States.