Abstract

Corticosteroids are used to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation in different conditions, ranging from skin diseases to brain tumors. Corticosteroids are administered by parenteral, oral and topical route. Topical corticosteroids are considered to have safer than oral corticosteroids. There are different topical corticosteroids preparations used in skin diseases. E.g. mometasone clobetasol, betamethasone, beclomethasone, fludrocortisone and desonide. Use of these steroids depends on anatomic location and strength of corticosteroids.
Clinical effectiveness of topically applied medications depends on the ability of the active ingredient to leave its vehicle and penetrate into the epidermis. Adverse effects of corticosteroids depend on duration of treatment, potency of corticosteroids and area of involvement. We have investigated effect of topical Clobetasole propionate on blood pressure, blood sugar level and blood calcium level after seven day application in patients requiring topical clobetasol therapy. Area of application measured by “Palmar method”, blood pressure by sphygmomanometer, blood sugar by glucometer, calcium investigation by O – cresolphthalein complexone method, concentration of clobetasol propionate by HPLC method. After seven day application, clobetasol propionate had raised systolic blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure was raised more than the diastolic blood pressure. Blood sugar level was raised by clobetasol propionate. Clobetasol propionate after once daily application for seven days did not change blood calcium levels. As area of application of topical steroids increase there were increases in blood concentration of corticosteroids.