In vivo percutaneous penetration of corticoids in man and unresolved problems in their efficacy

Abstract

This paper review the percutaneous penetration of corticosteroids in vivo in man utilizing urinary excretion of 14C-hydrocortisone as the experimental method. In general corticosteroids are only minimally absorbed from most areas of glabrous skin. Increasing the amount that penetrates-by use of occlusion-and increasing concentration provides the most practical method currently available for increasing efficacy in treatment-resistant dermatoses. Some practical research problems relevant to topical corticoid efficacy are discussed.