Steroids - Topical Steroid Strengths

Topical steroids are divided into groups based on their strengths. The strongest steroids are in group I and the weakest steroids are in group VII. The strength of a steroid is determined by a standardized test that measures the extent to which it can cause blood vessels to constrict in the upper dermis. Some of the more popular steroids in each class are listed below.

Topical Steroid Group I

• Clobetasol diproprionate 0.05% (Temovate)
• Betamethasone diproprionate 0.25% (Diprolene)
• Halbetasol proprionate 0.05% (Ultravate)
• Diflorasone diacetate 0.05% (Psorcon)

Topical Steroid Group II

• Fluocinonide 0.05% (Lidex)
• Halcinonide 0.05% (Halog)
• Amcinonide 0.05% (Cyclocort)
• Desoximetasone 0.25% (Topicort)

Topical Steroid Group III

• Triamcinalone acetonide 0.5% (Kenalog, Aristocort cream)
• Mometasone furoate 0.1% (Elocon ointment)
• Fluticasone proprionate 0.005% (Cutivate)
• Betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% (Diprosone)

Topical Steroid Group IV

• Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01-0.2% (Synalar, Synemol, Fluonid)
• Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2% (Westcort)
• Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% (Locoid)
• Flurandrenolide 0.05% (Cordran)
• Triamcinalone acetonide 0.1% (Kenalog, Aristocort A ointment)
• Mometasone furoate 0.1% (Elocon cream, lotion)

Topical Steroid Group V

• Triamcinalone acetonide 0.1% (Kenalog, Aristocort cream, lotion)
• Fluticasone propionate 0.05% (Cutivate cream)
• Desonide 0.05% (Tridesilon, DesOwen ointment)
• Fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% (Synalar, Synemol cream)
• Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2% (Westcort cream)

Topical Steroid Group VI

• Prednicarbate 0.05% (Aclovate cream, ointment)
• Triamcinalone acetonide 0.025% (Aristocort A cream, Kenalog lotion)
• Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% (Capex shampoo, Dermasmooth)
• Desonide 0.05% (DesOwen cream, lotion)

Topical Steroid Group VII

• Hydrocortisone 2.5% (Hytone cream, lotion, ointment)
• Hydrocortisone 1% (Many over-the-counter brands)