Many patients come into the clinic and are confused about steroid creams, ointments, lotions, sprays, foams, and gels. They come in many different forms and vary in their degree of potency. They are generally grouped into classes according to their strength. The medical provider’s choice in prescribing a particular topical steroid medication depends on many factors including the medical condition (ie. eczema, psoriasis, bee sting, allergic reaction, etc.) the location of the body that is being treated and of course the patient’s ability to afford the prescription.
There are some potentially harmful consequences that can occur if a steroid cream is used inappropriately. For example, applying a high potency steroid cream to an area of the body such as the face or groin can cause permanent thinning of the skin.
Here is a list of the different classes or categories that topical steroids are grouped into:
Class 1: Superpotent
Class 2: Potent
Class 3: Upper Mid-Strength
Class 4: Mid-Strength
Class 5: Lower Mid-Strength
Class 6: Mild
Class 7: Least Potent
Over the counter topical steroids are generally in the class 7 or least potent category.
Some examples of topical steroids and their respective classes include:
| CLASS 1—Superpotent | |
| Clobex Lotion/Spray/Shampoo, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate |
| Cormax Cream/Solution, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate |
| Diprolene Ointment, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate |
| Olux E Foam, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate |
| Olux Foam, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate |
| Temovate Cream/Ointment/Solution, 0.05% | Clobetasol propionate |
| Ultravate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% | Halobetasol propionate |
| Vanos Cream, 0.1% | Fluocinonide |
| Psorcon Ointment, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate |
| Psorcon E Ointment, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate |
| CLASS 2—Potent | |
| Diprolene Cream AF, 0.05% | Betamethasone dipropionate |
| Elocon Ointment, 0.1% | Mometasone furoate |
| Florone Ointment, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate |
| Halog Ointment/Cream, 0.1% | Halcinonide |
| Lidex Cream/Gel/Ointment, 0.05% | Fluocinonide |
| Psorcon Cream, 0.05% | Diflorasone diacetate |
| Topicort Cream/Ointment, 0.25% | Desoximetasone |
| Topicort Gel, 0.05% | Desoximetasone |
| CLASS 3—Upper Mid-Strength | |
| Cutivate Ointment, 0.005% | Fluticasone propionate |
| Lidex-E Cream, 0.05% | Fluocinonide |
| Luxiq Foam, 0.12% | Betamethasone valerate |
| Topicort LP Cream, 0.05% | Desoximetasone |
| CLASS 4—Mid-Strength | |
| Cordran Ointment, 0.05% | Flurandrenolide |
| Elocon Cream, 0.1% | Mometasone furoate |
| Kenalog Cream/Spray, 0.1% | Triamcinolone acetonide |
| Synalar Ointment, 0.03% | Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Westcort Ointment, 0.2% | Hydrocortisone valerate |
| CLASS 5—Lower Mid-Strength | |
| Capex Shampoo, 0.01% | Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Cordran Cream/Lotion/Tape, 0.05% | Flurandrenolide |
| Cutivate Cream/Lotion, 0.05% | Fluticasone propionate |
| DermAtop Cream, 0.1% | Prednicarbate |
| DesOwen Lotion, 0.05% | Desonide |
| Locoid Cream/Lotion/Ointment/Solution, 0.1% | Hydrocortisone |
| Pandel Cream, 0.1% | Hydrocortisone |
| Synalar Cream, 0.03%/0.01% | Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Westcort Cream, 0.2% | Hydrocortisone valerate |
| CLASS 6—Mild | |
| Aclovate Cream/Ointment, 0.05% | Alclometasone dipropionate |
| Derma-Smoothe/FS Oil, 0.01% | Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Desonate Gel, 0.05% | Desonide |
| Synalar Cream/Solution, 0.01% | Fluocinolone acetonide |
| Verdeso Foam, 0.05% | Desonide |
| CLASS 7—Least Potent | |
| Cetacort Lotion, 0.5%/1% | Hydrocortisone |
| Cortaid Cream/Spray/Ointment | Hydrocortisone |
| Hytone Cream/Lotion, 1%/2.5% | Hydrocortisone |
| Micort-HC Cream, 2%/2.5% | Hydrocortisone |
| Nutracort Lotion, 1%/2.5% | Hydrocortisone |
| Synacort Cream, 1%/2.5% | Hydrocortisone |
Scott Rennie, D.O.
Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine
This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.
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