Flexible classification for the clinical potency of topical corticosteroid proprietaries.

A flexible system of classifying topical corticosteroid proprietaries is proposed to help the clinician understand the relative antiinflammatory potency of these products. This system has the advantage of indicating not only the relative potency of a specific proprietary preparation but also noting the number of divisions in the classification. It allows for new product development and keeps the clinician informed of the change by the number of divisions being used. The system also has the potential for the classification of relative severity of both local and systemic side effects of corticosteroids.