ABSTRACT
Topical corticosteroids are fast-acting, highly effective, easy to administer, and relatively safe, making short-term use acceptable to patients and physicians. Topical corticosteroids are the cornerstone of most topical psoriasis treatment regimens. The efficacy of most topical corticosteroids is generally well correlated with the potency. Potency of a corticosteroid is associated with its chemical modification, such as the presence of an acetate moiety, its vehicle formulation, the hydration status of the skin, and with occlusion. The adverse effects of topical corticosteroids are well known and limit the frequency and continuity of treatment. Topical calcipotriene has also been combined with ultraviolet B to improve efficacy and to reduce cumulative exposure. Tazarotene also appears to be stable in vitro when combined with a variety of topical corticosteroids and with calcipotriene, and it does not appear to affect adversely the stability of the other compounds.
