Pharmacology of halopredone acetate, a new topical antiinflammatory steroid

The topical antiinflammatory activity of 17,21-bis(acetyloxy)-2-bromo-6beta,9-difluoro-11beta-hydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione (halopredone acetate; Topicon) has been compared with those of other steroids in a few bioassays in animals. At variance with the reference compounds, halopredone acetate, which exhibited variable potency according to the assay used never displayed substantial systemic effects when locally applied. Even after subcutaneous administration this new steroid did not interfere with adrenal function, carbohydrate and protein metabolism or sodium and potassium excretion. On the basis of the results reported, halopredone acetate may be considered a steroid with potentially high topical antiinflammatory activity and good tolerability.