Summary
Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate1 is a new non-fluorinated topical corticosteroid for use in psoriasis, eczema and other inflammatory dermatoses. In double-blind paired comparisons with other topical corticosteroids, the efficacy of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 0.1% has generally been indistinguishable from that of triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%, fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% or betamethasone 17-valerate 0.1% in patients with eczema or psoriasis.
When applied to the face of patients with atrophy superimposed on rosacea and perioral dermatitis resulting from prolonged use of fluorinated topical corticosteroids, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 0.1% did not prevent the beneficial effect of systemic tetracycline nor the disappearance of telangiectasis, and tended to be more effective than hydrocortisone 1%. This result suggests that hydrocortisone 17-butyrate may be suitable for long-term use on facial lesions, although the occurrence of moderate rebound eruption in about 10% of patients indicates the need for caution.
The findings suggest that hydrocortisone 17-butyrate may be less liable to cause skin atrophy and adrenal suppression than some other potent topical corticosteroids, but trials to date have been too short to allow definite conclusions regarding possible long-term effects and have not involved infants or children.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Addo, H. and Kelly, Agnes: Short-term assessment of 0.1% hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (‘Locoid’) in the treatment of skin disease. Current Medical Research and Opinion 3: 206 (1975).
Alexander, Suzanne and Lyne, Cynthia: A preliminary clinical trial of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate. British Journal of Clinical Practice 27: 177 (1973).
Ashurst, P.: Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate, a new synthetic topical corticosteroid. British Journal of Clinical Practice 26: 263 (1972).
Dobozy, A. and Simon, N.: Percutaneous absorption of steroid compounds in human and animal skin. Proceedings of the XIVth International Congress on Dermatology, Venice, 1972
Engel, J.C.; Marx, A.F.; Rekker, R.F. and Van Wijk, L.: Topically active corticosteroids. Archives of Dermatology 109: 863 (1974).
Groniowska, M.; Dabrowski, J.; Maciejewski, W. and Walski, M.: Electron-microscope evaluation of collagen fibrils after topical corticosteroid therapy; in Advances in Topical Corticosteroid Therapy, Dermatologica 152 (Suppl. 1) (1976).
Hendrikse, J.C.M. and Moolenaar, A.J.: Adrenal and pituitary functions during long-term topical steroid therapy. Dermatologica 144: 179 (1972).
Hendrikse, J.C.M. and Moolenaar, A.J.: Adrenal suppression with topical hydrocortisone butyrate. Dermatologica 147: 191(1973).
Kirby, J.D. and Munro, D.D.: Steroid-induced atrophy in an animal and human model. British Journal of Dermatology 94 (Suppl. 12): 111 (1976).
Marks, R.: Methods for the assessment of skin atrophogenicity of topical corticosteroids; in Advances in Topical Corticosteroid Therapy, Dermatologica 152 (Suppl. 1) (1976).
Meersch van der, J.J.: Clinical trials with hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (Locoid). Ars Medici 4: 415 (1975).
Munro, D.D.: The effect of percutaneously absorbed steroids on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function after intensive use in in-patients British Journal of Dermatology 94 (Suppl. 12): 67 (1976a)
Munro, D.D.: Topical corticosteroid therapy and its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; in Advances in Topical Corticosteroid Therapy, Dermatologica 152 (Suppl. 1) (1976b).
Munro, D.D. and Dift, D.C.: Pituitary-adrenal function after prolonged use of topical corticosteroids. British Journal of Dermatology 88: 381 (1973).
Munro, D.D. and Wilson, Lyn: Clobetasone butyrate, a new topical corticosteroid: Clinical activity and effects on pituitary-adrenal axis function and model of epidermal atrophy. British Medical Journal 3: 626 (1975).
Ponec, M. and Polano, M.K.: Hydrocortisone butyrate penetration through epidermis in vitro. Archiv für Dermatologische Forschung 245: 381 (1972).
Ponec-Waelsch, M. and Polano, M.K.: Influence of the vehicle on the penetration of hydrocortisone butyrate through epidermis in vitro. Dermatologica 149: 308 (1974).
Polano, M.K. and Kaanar, P.: A clinical trial with hydro-cortisone butyrate cream in eczema. British Journal of Dermatology 88: 83 (1973).
Polano, M.K.; Suurmond, D.; Lely van der, M.A. and Warnaar, P.: A clinical trial with hydrocortisone butyrate cream in psoriasis. British Journal of Dermatology 83: 93 (1970).
Scoggins, R.B. and Kliman, B.; Relative potency of percutaneously absorbed corticosteroids in the suppression of pituitary-adrenal function. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 45: 347 (1965).
Sneddon, L: A trial of hydrocortisone butyrate in the treatment of rosacea and perioral dermatitis. British Journal of Dermatology 89: 505 (1973).
Sneddon, I.: The treatment of steroid-induced rosacea and perioral dermatitis; in Advances in Topical Corticosteroid Therapy, Dermatologica 152 (Suppl. 1) (1976).
Takeda, Y. and Kukita, A.: Autoradiographic studies on percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate. Nishihikon Journal of Dermatology 36: 24 (1974).
Takino, C. and Kobayashi, S.: Experience with topical hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (‘Locoid’) with special reference to long-term application of topical fluorinated steroids. Nishihikon Journal of Dermatology 37: 452(1975).
Thormann, J.: A clinical trial of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate and betamethasone 17-valerate in a series of patients with eczematous skin lesions. Ugeskr. Lalg. 138: 1214(1976).
Urabe, H. and Koda, H.: Perioral dermatitis and rosacealike dermatitis: Clinical features and treatment; in Advances in Topical Corticosteroid Therapy, Dermatologica 152 (Suppl. 1) (1976).
Yasuda, T.: A controlled double-blind trial on clinical effects of a topical preparation of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate. Progress of Medicine 85: 151 (1973).
Yasuda, T.: Systemic effects of the topical corticosteroid hydrocortisone 17-butyrate. Skin Research 16 (No. 1) (1974).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
‘Locoid’ (Gist-Brocades).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brogden, R.N., Pinder, R.M., Sawyer, P.R. et al. Hydrocortisone 17-Butyrate: A New Topical Corticosteroid Preliminary Report. Drugs 12, 249–257 (1976). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-197612040-00001
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-197612040-00001