Composition of Dermaid 0.5%
Dermaid 0.5% contains hydrocortisone butyrate 0.5% as the active ingredient in a cream formulation. Hydrocortisone butyrate is a medium-potency, non-halogenated corticosteroid ester that provides anti-inflammatory effects with a favorable benefit/risk ratio 1.
Active Ingredient Details
- Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.5% is the active pharmaceutical ingredient, which is a non-fluorinated topical corticosteroid 2
- It belongs to the moderate potency (Class 4) corticosteroid category, similar to clobetasone butyrate 0.05% (Eumovate) 3
- The 0.5% concentration is half the strength of the more commonly available 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate formulations 4, 5
Vehicle Components
While the exact formulation details aren't specified in the evidence, typical cream vehicles for hydrocortisone butyrate preparations contain:
- Emollient base with moisturizing properties 5
- Likely contains a proprietary lipid-rich cream vehicle similar to other hydrocortisone butyrate formulations 4
- May contain preservatives and stabilizers common to topical corticosteroid preparations 1
Clinical Classification
- Dermaid 0.5% would be classified as a moderate potency topical corticosteroid based on its concentration and clinical effects 3
- It falls between mild corticosteroids (hydrocortisone 1%) and potent corticosteroids (betamethasone valerate 0.1%) in the potency spectrum 2
- The moderate potency makes it suitable for treating inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis 1
Pharmacological Properties
- Hydrocortisone butyrate has strong topical anti-inflammatory activity with weak systemic effects 1
- It demonstrates efficacy comparable to betamethasone 17-valerate but with less pronounced systemic effects 1
- The butyrate ester modification increases the potency of hydrocortisone while maintaining a favorable safety profile 2
- The 0.5% concentration provides therapeutic effect while potentially reducing risk of adverse effects compared to higher concentrations 4, 5
Safety Profile
- Hydrocortisone butyrate formulations have demonstrated safety in pediatric populations as young as 3 months of age 4
- Studies show minimal risk of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression with appropriate use 5
- The non-fluorinated structure may contribute to reduced risk of skin atrophy compared to fluorinated corticosteroids 2
- Has a therapeutic index of approximately 2.0, similar to other topical corticosteroids with increased benefit/risk ratios 1