ATC Class:D07AC18
VA Class:DE200
Prednicarbate shares the actions of other topical corticosteroids and is used for the relief of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.1, 2, 3, 4, 11
Based on approximate relative local anti-inflammatory activity, prednicarbate cream is classified as a group V topical corticosteroid preparation (based on clinical effectiveness in atopic dermatitis or psoriasis and as measured by vasoconstrictor assay).2, 3, 4, 5, 8 Although equipotent anti-inflammatory preparations of prednicarbate reportedly have exhibited less atrophogenic potential than those of fluorinated or other conventional corticosteroids in some studies,2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 the clinical importance, if any, of these findings remains to be established and is controversial.2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
The manufacturer states that safety and efficacy of prednicarbate cream in children younger than 1 year of age and of prednicarbate ointment in children younger than 10 years of age have not been established.1, 11 Therefore, use of the drug in these children is not recommended.1, 11
Topical prednicarbate cream or ointment is applied sparingly in a thin film and rubbed gently into the affected area twice daily.1, 3, 4, 11 Occlusive dressings may be used for severe or resistant dermatoses, but the risk of adverse local and systemic effects also increases with occlusion.1, 3, 11
The manufacturer states that topical prednicarbate cream may be used with caution in children 1 year of age or older; however, safety and efficacy of long-term (i.e., longer than 3 weeks) use of topical prednicarbate cream in these children have not been established.1 In addition, parents or guardians of children should be advised that prednicarbate cream is not recommended for use in the treatment of diaper dermatitis since diapers or plastic pants may act as occlusive dressings.1
Prednicarbate is a synthetic, nonhalogenated corticosteroid.1, 2, 3, 11 Prednicarbate is a 17,21-diester (17-ethylcarbonate, 21-propionate) derivative of prednisolone.2, 3
Additional Information
SumMon® (see Users Guide). For additional information on this drug until a more detailed monograph is developed and published, the manufacturer's labeling should be consulted. It is essential that the labeling be consulted for detailed information on the usual cautions, precautions, and contraindications.
Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.
Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.
Routes | Dosage Forms | Strengths | Brand Names | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Topical | Cream | 0.1% | Dermatop® Emollient | Dermik |
Ointment | 0.1% | Dermatop® | Dermik |
AHFS® Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2025, Selected Revisions January 29, 2018. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, MD 20814.
1. Dermik Laboratories. Dermatop® (prednicarbate) emollient cream 0.1% prescribing information. Berwyn, PA; 2003 May.
2. Schäfer-Korting M, Korting HC, Kerscher MJ et al. Prednicarbate activity and benefit/risk ratio in relation to other topical glucocorticoids. Clin Pharmacol Ther . 1993; 54:448-56. [PubMed 8222488]
3. Hoechst-Roussel Dermatology. Dermatop® (prednicarbate) emollient cream 0.1% product monograph. Somerville, NJ; 1993 Jul.
4. Hanifin J, Abrams BB, Cherill RJ. Management of atopic dermatitis with prednicarbate emollient cream 0.1%, a nonhalogenated prednisolone derivative. J Geriatr Dermatol . 1994; 2:119-27.
5. Cornell RC, Cherill RJ, Abrams BB. Safety of prednicarbate emollient cream 0.1% and ointment 0.1%, nonhalogenated, midpotency topical steroid formulations. J Geriatr Dermatol . 1994; 2:57-65.
6. Korting HC, Vieluf D, Kerscher M. 0.25% Prednicarbate cream and the corresponding vehicle induce less skin atrophy than 0.1% betamethasone-17-valerate cream and 0.05% clobetasol-17-propionate cream. Eur J Clin Pharmacol . 1992; 42:159-61. [PubMed 1618247]
7. Korting HC, Kerscher MJ, Schäfer-Korting M. Topical glucorticoids with improved benefit/risk ratio: do they exist? J Am Acad Dermatol . 1992; 27:87-92.
8. Hoechst-Roussel Dermatology, Somerville, NJ: Personal communication.
9. Hein R, Korting HC, Mehring T. Differential effect of medium potent nonhalogenated double-ester-type and conventional glucocorticoids on proliferation and chemotaxis of fibroblasts in vitro. Skin Pharmacol . 1994; 7:300-6. [PubMed 8054213]
10. Levy J, Gassmuller J, Schroder G et al. Comparison of the effects of calcipotriol, prednicarbate and clobetasol 17-propionate on normal skin assessed by ultrasound measurement of skin thickness. Skin Pharmacol . 1994; 7:231-6. [PubMed 8024805]
11. Dermik Laboratories. Dermatop® (prednicarbate) ointment 0.1% prescribing information. Berwyn, PA; 2003 Apr.