Stratum corneum absorption kinetics of 2 potent topical corticosteroid formulations: a pilot study.

Fluocinonide and halcinonide are class II topical corticosteroids that are indicated for the relief of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses and generally are applied to affected skin at least twice daily. This pilot study compared the absorption kinetics of cream formulations of fluocinonide and halcinonide in the stratum corneum within a 9-hour period following application. A dermal tape-stripping protocol was used to quantify corticosteroid concentration at 6 sequential depths in the skin of 4 sites on the forearm. Halcinonide and fluocinonide were extracted from the strips and concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results demonstrated the immediate absorption of fluocinonide and halcinonide into the stratum corneum within 1 hour of application followed by a sustained release of halcinonide and a steady decline of fluocinonide after peaking.

Demonstration of the biphasic release of 0.1% halcinonide cream.

Halcinonide in Halog Cream is formulated in a unique cream base that allows a biphasic release of this Class II steroid. Halcinonide in this product exists in two phases--a solution phase that is released immediately and a suspension phase that has a delayed release over time. The goal of this study was to evaluate this biphasic release of halcinonide into the skin using a novel noninvasive method. A dermal tape stripping protocol was used to quantify halcinonide concentration at 6 sequential depths in the skin of 4 sites on the forearms of 5 subjects. D-Squame strips were sequentially applied with consistent pressure and removed at 1, 3, 6, and 9 hours after application of halcinonide. Halcinonide was extracted from the strips and quantified using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The highest concentration of halcinonide was detected in strip 1 from the superficial stratum corneum with subsequent reduction in deeper stratum corneum layers as expected. The concentration increased beyond the first hour after application and demonstrated a sustained release into hour 6 before beginning declining. Similarly, the average concentration of halcinonide in strips 1 to 6 peaked at hour 1 and remained elevated for 6 hours. Data collected from the tape strips demonstrated a biphasic release of halcinonide--immediate release within 1 hour of application from the solution phase and continued, sustained release from the suspension phase following the first hour of application.

Influence of the timing of ultrasound application on the penetration of corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND: The application of ultrasound to enhance the transdermal transport of drugs is often referred to as 'sonophoresis'. In physiotherapy sonophoresis is applied to the skin through two different procedures: (1) the pre-treatment procedure where the skin is treated with ultrasound irradiation prior to the drug application and (2) a simultaneous treatment mode, where the skin is treated with ultrasound during the application of the pharmacologic substance. The aim of this study was to compare the bioavailability of halcinonide in the stratum corneum comparing the ultrasound pre-treatment vs. the simultaneous treatment method. METHODS: The effect of pre and simultaneous ultrasound treatment (1 MHz, 1 W/cm(2)) was evaluated on the halcinonide blanching response using tristimulus colorimetry 2 h after the initial application. RESULTS: Within the evaluation period, only the ultrasound pre-treatment method resulted in a significant blanching response. CONCLUSION: Timing of the ultrasound application seems to influence the availability and percutaneous penetration process and should be taken into account when estimating the ultrasound enhancing effect.

[Thermographic study of the percutaneous absorption of corticosteroids]. / Studio termografico sull'assorbimento percutaneo dei corticosteroidi.

The results of a study on the percutaneous absorption of two corticosteroids, Halcinonide at 0.1% and Triamcinolone acetonide at 0.1%, employing an original thermographic method, are reported. In a first group of subjects treated with one application of the two corticosteroids a stronger activity of the Halcinonide was found than in a second group of subjects, after repeated applications, resulting progressively more evident and of longer duration in comparison with Triamcinolone.