Diflorasone Diacetate: Vasoconstrictor Activity and Clinical Efficacy of a New Topical Corticosteroid

Diflorasone diacetate, a new topical corticosteroid, was generally more potent than three high potency reference standards (fluocinonide, betamethasone 17-valerate and fluocinolone acetonide) when the compounds were dissolved in 95% alcohol and applied in vasoconstrictor assays in healthy volunteers. On the basis of additional vasoconstrictor assay results, a 0·05% concentration of the steroid in a cream vehicle containing 15% propylene glycol was developed for therapeutic evaluation. In a double-blind comparison in 384 patients with dermatoses, 0·05% diflorasone diacetate cream was as effective as 0·05% fluocinonide cream in the therapy of lesions of psoriasis or atopic/neurodermatitis.