Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data
Drug Category
- Corticosteroids
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Antipruritic Agents
Dosage Forms
- Cream (0.5 mg alclometasone/1g cream)
- Ointment (0.5 mg alclometasone/1g ointment)
Brands / Synonyms
Aclovate; Alclometasone dipropionate
Indications
For the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.
Pharmacology
Alclometasone is a synthetic corticosteroid for topical dermatologic use. The corticosteroids constitute a class of primarily synthetic steroids used topically as anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agents. Alclometasone is a selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist.
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of the topical steroids, in general, is unclear. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor, arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2. Alclometasone also binds the corticosteroid receptor.
Absorption
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from normal intact skin. Studies have shown that approximately 3% of steroid is absorbed during 8 hours of contact with intact skin of normal volunteers.
Toxicity
Symptoms of overdose include suppression of adrenal glands, temporary decrease in white blood cell counts, symptoms of hypersensitivity (such as skin rash, hives, itching, and difficulty breathing), and increased susceptibility to infection.
Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism
Hepatic.
Contraindications
ACLOVATE Cream and Ointment are contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the
components in these preparations.
Drug Interactions
No information provided
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