difluocortolone

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum:  

Actions:  

It is an anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators like prostaglandins and leukotrienes. As a result, the number of inflammatory mediators decreases, eventually diminishing the inflammatory response. 

Moreover, the immune response is suppressed by hindering the function of immune cells, such as T-lymphocytes and macrophages, which participate during the inflammatory process. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Burning  

Thinning 

Allergic skin reactions 

Pruritus 

Secondary infection 

Discolouration  

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning  

The drug may cause patches and skin irritation. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:  

Peritoneal dermatitis 

Rosacea  

Fungal skin infections 

Napkin eruptions  

Acne vulgaris 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: 

Pregnancy consideration:   

 No data is available regarding the administration of the drug during pregnancy.  

Breastfeeding warnings:   

No data is available regarding the excretion of drugs in breast milk.  

Pregnancy category:  

Category A: well-controlled and satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester.  

Category B: There was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.  

 Category C: There was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.   

Category D: Adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence, these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.  

Category N: No data for the drug under this category is available.  

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:

It is an anti-inflammatory agent, by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators like prostaglandins and leukotrienes. As a result of which, decrease in the number of inflammatory mediators is achieved which eventually results in the diminishing of inflammatory response.

It inhibits activities of the immune cell thus suppressing proliferation of these cells and the production of immune mediators. 

Pharmacokinetics:  

Absorption 

The drug shows Percutaneous absorption, but the systemic absorption might also occur. 

Distribution 

Predominantly local with minimal systemic distribution under normal conditions. 

Metabolism  

The drug metabolism takes place in liver. 

Excretion and elimination 

The diflucortolone excreted from the body is divided into urine (75%) and feces (25%). 

The complete and rapid clearness of diflucortolone is observed. 

The half-life of it is estimated to be in the range of 4 to 5 hours. 

Adminstartion

Administration:  

The route of administration is topical. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet  

Generic Name: difluocortolone 

Why do we use difluocortolone?  

Difluocortolone is one of the major drug used in dermatology to inhibit the inflammation and relieve the symptoms in people of eczema or other forms of dermatitis like contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.

Besides that, it may be used for alleviation of psoriasis, manifested as itching, scaling and redness.