Specific formulations, or brands of topical corticosteroids have been ranked according to their potency on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being the most potent.
Group 1 (I) Superpotent
- Clobetasol, 0.05% (Clobex®, Temovate®)
- Clobetasol foam 0.05% (Olux® and Olux E®)
- Fluocinonide 0.1% (Vanos®)
- Halobetasol 0.05%, (Ultravate®)
Group 2 (II) Potent
- Desoximetasone, 0.05% (Topicort® gel)
- Desoximetasone, 0.25% (Topicort® cream, ointment)
- Diflorasone diacetate 0.05% (Psorcon® cream)
- Fluocinonide 0.05% (Lidex®)
- Halcinonide, 0.1% (Halog®)
Group 3 (III) Upper mid-strength
- Desoximetasone 0.05% (Topicort® LP cream)
- Fluocinonide 0.05% (Lidex-E® cream)
- Fluticasone propionate. 0.005% (Cutivate® ointment)
Group 4 (IV) Mid-strength
- Betamethasone valerate 0.12% (Luxiq® foam)
- Fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% (Synalar® ointment)
- Hydrocortisone valerate, 0.2% (Westcort® ointment)
- Mometasone furoate 0.1% (Elocon® cream, lotion)
- Triamcinalone acetonide 0.1% (Kenalog® cream, ointment)
Group 5 (V) Lower mid-strength
- Clocortolone pivalate, 0.1% (Cloderm® cream)
- Fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% (Synalar® cream)
- Fluticasone propionate 0.05% (Cutivate® cream)
- Hydrocortisone valerate, 0.2% (Westcort® cream)
- Mometasone furoate, 0.1% (Elocon® cream)
- Prednicarbate, 0.1% (Dermatop® cream)
Group 6 (VI) Mild
- Alclometasone dipropionate, 0.05% (Aclovate® cream)
- Desonide, 0.05% (DesOwen® cream, lotion and ointment, LoKara® lotion, and Verdeso® foam)
- Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% (Capex® shampoo, Derma-Smoothe/FS® Oil)
- Hydrocortisone butyrate, 0.1% (Locoid® cream and ointment)
- Triamcinalone acetonide, 0.025% (Aristocort® A cream, Kenalog® ointment)
Group 7 (VII) Least potent
- Hydrocortisone 1%, or 2.5%
Source: Vivacare
Last updated : 1/9/2019