Table 2 Chemical drugs for topical delivery to treat psoriasis

Beclometasone Dipropionate^a

Cream (41)^e, ointment (1), spray (8), plasters (2)

2–4 times/day, less than 45 mg/week

Contact eczema, atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, pruritus, psoriasis, sclerosing atrophic moss, lichen planus, discoid lupus erythematosus, seborrheic dermatitis, hypertrophic scars

Short-term application: burning, tingling, itching

Long-term application: skin telangiectasia, skin atrophy, atrophy pattern, secondary purpura, ecchymosis, skin fragility, hirsutism, folliculitis, milia, skin bleaching, systemic adverse reactions (absorbed too much)

Fluocinonide^a

Cream (72), ointment (1), tincture (27), liniments (1)

2–3 times/day, less than 12.5 mg/week

Halcinonide^a

Cream (27), ointment (10), solution (37)

Twice/day

Hydrocortisone Butyrate^a

Cream (11)

Twice/day

Triamcinolone Acetonide^a

Spray (5), cream (86), paste (2), ointment (22)

2–3 times/day

Methoxsalen^b

Solution (12)

Once/day, apply UVA 2–4 h later

Psoriasis vulgaris and acne vulgaris

Erythema, skin pigmentation, itching, redness, blisters, pain, scaling

Tazarotene^b

Cream (2), gel (3)

Apply half an hour before sleep, then wash off.

Itching, erythema, burning sensation, skin irritation, dryness and edema

Tretinoin^b

Cream (35)

1–3 times/day

Burning, erythema and desquamation, but gradually disappear

Tacrolimus^b

Ointment (4)

Twice/day

Patients unfit traditional therapies due to potential risk

Rosacea, edema at the site of administration

Calcipotriol^c

Ointment (2)

1–2 times/day, less than 100 g/week

Psoriasis vulgaris

Pruritus, burning sensation, tingling, dry skin, erythema, contact dermatitis, eczema

Biphenyl benzazole^d

Gel (5), solution (8), spray (1), cream (39), film (1)

Once/day

Hand skin fungi, yeasts, molds, fungal skin diseases caused by pityrosporum and infections caused by Corynebacterium parvum

Pain and peripheral edema, contact dermatitis, erythema, pruritus, rash, urticaria, blisters, peeling, eczema, dry skin, skin irritation, skin impregnation, burning sensation

Clotrimazole^d

Solution (32), cream (102), liniments (7), film (3)

2–3 times/day

Tinea corporis, tinea corporis, tinea capitis, tinea pedis, tinea versicolor, tinea capitis, and candidiasis parvitis and candidal vulvovaginitis

Itching, tingling, erythema, edema

Econazole Nitrate^d

Solution (9), spray (4), cream (42)

Twice/day

Itching, tingling, erythema, edema

Terbinafine Hydrochloride^d

Cream (37), liniments (2), spray (7), gel (11)

Once/day

Burning sensation, rash, pruritus