New Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids have dominated the class of anti-inflammatory agents for the past 50 years. In the last ten years, seven new corticosteroids have been developed for topical use. Characteristics common to these several chemically different corticosteroids are their class III, or high potency (USP) designation and their improved safety profile. Allergic contact dermatitis is an unexpected adverse effect that is caused by some of them, in particular budesonide and, to a somewhat lesser degree, the labile "prodrug" corticosteroids, such as prednicarbate and prednisone acepontate.