Domoprednate (Stermonid®), a Topical D-Homocorticosteroid, Skin Atrophy and Telangiectasia

Five corticosteroid ointments and placebo were compared in 17 volunteers with regard to their influence on normal skin under occlusive conditions. Each volunteer had six simultaneous applications on the forearms and six on the back. The trial was double-blind and lasted 4 weeks. The ointments were placed in randomized order. The treatments were 0.1 and 0.03% domoprednate, 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate, 0.1% betamethasone valerate, 0.05% clobetasole propionate and placebo. Skin thickness was measured on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28, transepidermal water loss on days 0, 14 and 28, while blood flow and telangiectasias were evaluated only on day 28 at termination of the trial. The skin thickness became significantly reduced on all corticosteroids, but not on placebo; 0.03% domoprednate, however, tended to have an intermediate position between placebo and the other ointments. The transepidermal water loss did not change. Rating of telangiectasia under stereomicroscope showed a significantly lower score after 0.03% domoprednate and placebo as compared to the other ointments. Assessment of telangiectasia by laser-Doppler flowmetry showed a similar tendency. It is concluded that 0.1% domoprednate is comparable to other topical corticosteroids with respect to atrophogeneity and formation of telangiectasia, but the 0.03% concentration seems to result in fewer side effects.