Hydrocortisone butyrate

Molecular mass: 432.557 g/mol 

Mechanism of action

Topical corticosteroids share anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties. The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of the topical corticosteroids is unclear. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor, arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2.

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Corticosteroid
ATC code: D07AB02

Hydrocortisone butyrate is a potent topical corticosteroid.

Pharmacokinetic properties

The topical activity has been demonstrated in vivo using the McKenzie-Stoughton test.

Preclinical safety data

Topical administration of corticosteroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of foetal development including cleft palate and intra-uterine growth retardation. There may therefore be a very small risk of such effects in the human foetus.

Theoretically, there is the possibility that if maternal systemic absorption occurred the infant’s adrenal function could be affected.

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