Drocort

Drocort - General Information

A corticosteroid used topically in the treatment of various skin disorders. It is usually employed as a cream or an ointment, and is also used as a polyethylene tape with an adhesive. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p733)

Pharmacology of Drocort

Drocort is primarily effective because of its anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive actions.

Drocort for patients

Patients using topical corticosteroids should receive the following information and instructions:

1. This medication is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes.
2. Patients should be advised not to use this medication for any disorder other than that for which it was prescribed.
3. The treated skin area should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped in order to be occlusive unless the patient is directed to do so by the physician.
4. Patients should report any signs of local adverse reactions, especially under occlusive dressing.
5. Parents of pediatric patients should be advised not to use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a patient being treated in the diaper area, because these garments may constitute occlusive dressings.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

1. Prepare skin as directed by your physician or as follows: Gently clean the area to be covered to remove scales, crusts, dried exudates, and any previously used ointments or creams. A germicidal soap or cleanser should be used to prevent the development of odor under the tape. Shave or clip the hair in the treatment area to allow good contact with the skin and comfortable removal. If shower or tub bath is to be taken, it should be completed before the tape is applied. The skin should be dry before application of the tape.
2. Remove tape from package and cut a piece slightly larger than area to be covered. Round off corners.
3. Pull white paper from transparent tape. Be careful that tape does not stick to itself.
4. Apply tape, keeping skin smooth; press tape into place.

REPLACEMENT OF TAPE.

Unless instructed otherwise by your physician, replace tape after 12 hours. Cleanse skin and allow it to dry for 1 hour before applying new tape.

IF IRRITATION OR INFECTION DEVELOPS, REMOVE TAPE AND CONSULT PHYSICIAN.

Drocort Interactions

No information provided.

Drocort Contraindications

Topical corticosteroids are contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of these preparations.

Use of Cordran Tape is not recommended for lesions exuding serum or in intertriginous areas.

Additional information about Drocort

Drocort Indication: For relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, particularly dry, scaling localized lesions
Mechanism Of Action: Drocort is a topical corticosteroid. It is normally applied to a plastic tape called Cordran. Cordran is primarily effective because of its anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive actions. Drocort, which is slowly released from the Cordran tape, binds to the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor. After binding the receptor the newly formed receptor-ligand complex translocates itself into the cell nucleus, where it binds to many glucocorticoid response elements (GRE) in the promoter region of the target genes. The DNA bound receptor then interacts with basic transcription factors, causing the increase in expression of specific target genes. The anti-inflammatory actions of corticosteroids are thought to involve lipocortins, phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins which, through inhibition arachidonic acid, control the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Specifically glucocorticoids induce lipocortin-1 (annexin-1) synthesis, which then binds to cell membranes preventing the phospholipase A2 from coming into contact with its substrate arachidonic acid. This leads to diminished eicosanoid production. Cyclooxygenase (both COX-1 and COX-2) expression is also suppressed, potentiating the effect. In another words, the two main products in inflammation Prostaglandins and Leukotrienes are inhibited by the action of Glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids also stimulate the lipocortin-1 escaping to the extracellular space, where it binds to the leukocyte membrane receptors and inhibits various inflammatory events: epithelial adhesion, emigration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, respiratory burst and the release of various inflammatory mediators (lysosomal enzymes, cytokines, tissue plasminogen activator, chemokines etc.) from neutrophils, macrophages and mastocytes. Additionally the immune system is suppressed by corticosteroids due to a decrease in the function of the lymphatic system, a reduction in immunoglobulin and complement concentrations, the precipitation of lymphocytopenia, and interference with antigen-antibody binding. Like other glucocorticoid agents Fluocinolone acetonide acts as a physiological antagonist to insulin by decreasing glycogenesis (formation of glycogen). It also promotes the breakdown of lipids (lipolysis), and proteins, leading to the mobilization of extrahepatic amino acids and ketone bodies. This leads to increased circulating glucose concentrations (in the blood). There is also decreased glycogen formation in the liver.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Flurandrenolide
Synonyms: Fludroxycortidum [INN-Latin]; Fludroxicortida [INN-Spanish]; Fludrossicortide [DCIT]; Flurandrenolone; Flurandrenolone acetonide; Fluorandrenolone acetonide; Fluorandrenolone; Fludroxycortide; Fludroxicortidum; Floudroxycortide
Drug Category: Anti-inflammatory Agents; Glucocorticoids
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Flurandrenolide: Alondra-F; Cordran; Drenison; Drocort; Haelan; Haldrone-F; Sermaka;
Absorption: Once absorbed through the skin, topical corticosteroids are handled through pharmacokinetic pathways similar to those of systemically administered corticosteroids
Toxicity (Overdose): Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids has produced reversible hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, manifestations of Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria in some patients
Protein Binding: Corticosteroids are bound to plasma proteins in varying degrees.
Biotransformation: Primarily hepatic
Half Life: Not Available
Dosage Forms of Drocort: Tape Topical
Chemical IUPAC Name: 6-fluoro-11,21 dihydroxy-16,17-[(l-methylethylidene) bis (oxy)]-, (6?, 11?, 16?)- Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione
Chemical Formula: C24H33FO6
Flurandrenolide on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fludroxycortide
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals