Desoximetasone

Absorption

Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from intact healthy skin. The extent of percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids is determined by many factors, including the vehicle and the integrity of the epidermal barrier. Occlusion, inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin may also increase percutaneous absorption.

Toxicity

Topically applied desoximetasone can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects. Symptoms of overdose include thinning of skin and suppression of adrenal cortex (decreased ability to respond to stress).

Chemical properties

Off-White Solid

Originator

Topicorte,Roussel,France,1968

The Uses of Desoximetasone

Glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory. It is also found as an impurity in Dexamethasone (D298800).

What are the applications of Application

Desoximetasone is a glucocorticoid antiinflammatory agent

Indications

For the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.

Background

A topical anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid used in dermatoses, skin allergies, psoriasis, etc.

Definition

ChEBI: Dexamethasone in which the hydroxy group at the 17alpha position is substituted by hydrogen. A synthetic corticosteroid with glucocorticoid activity, it is used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic in the treatment of various skin dis rders, including skin allergies and psoriasis.

Manufacturing Process

(a) Production of 16α-Methyl-4-Pregnene-11β,21-diol-3,20-Dione (= 16αMethylcorticosterone): A fermenter of stainless steel having a 50 liter capacity is charged with 30 liters of a nutrient solution containing:
sterilized for ? hour at 120°C and after cooling, inoculated with a spore suspension of Curvularia lunata which is obtained by rinsing a seven day corn culture (15 grams corn) with approximately 100 cc of physiological sodium chloride solution.
After two days of culturing at 25°C under stirring (220 revolutions per minute) and ventilating (1.65 m3/hr), 18 liters of the obtained culture are removed under sterile conditions and introduced into a fermenter of the same size charged with 28.2 liters of a nutrient solution containing:
After 24 hours cultivation under stirring and ventilation as described above, 7.5 grams of 16α-methyldesoxycorticosterone, obtained by saponification of the corresponding 21-acetate and melting at 102-104°C, in 200 cc of ethanol are added and fermented under the same conditions for 28 hours.
The course of the fermentation is tested by removal of samples, which are extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone. The extract is analyzed by paper chromatography in a system of dioxane + toluene/propylene glycol.
After the end of the fermentation (28 hours) the culture broth is filtered off by suction over a large suction filter. The mycel residue is washed with water several times. The filtrate is extracted three times, each time with 10 liters of methyl isobutyl ketone. The extract is concentrated under vacuum in a circulating evaporator and in a round flask carefully dried under vacuum. The residue is crystallized from acetone/isopropyl ether. The melting point is 157- 158°C (fermentation yield = 60%). The pure product yield obtained after a second crystallization and chromatography of the mother liquor on silica gel amounts to 53% of the theoretical.
(b) 16α-Methyl-9α-Fluoro-?4-Pregnene-11β,21-Diol-3,20-Dione: 7.5 grams of 16α-methyl-9α-fluoro-?4-pregnene-21-ol-3,20-dione-21-acetate, obtained from Step (a) by acetylating with acetic anhydride in pyridine followed by reaction with HF in pyridine at 0°C, are fermented for 36 hours with Curvularia lunata (Mutant NRRL 2380), whereby the 21-acetate group is simultaneously saponified, and then further worked up. The residue is extracted with MIBK, subjected to chromatography on silica gel and there is obtained from chloroform/ethyl acetate (2:1) an eluate containing the 11βhydroxy compound, which is further dehydrogenated as the crude product.
(c) 16α-Methyl-9α-Fluoro-?1,4-Pregnadiene-11β,21-Diol-3,20-Dione: 16αmethyl-9α-fluoro-β4-pregnene-11β,21-diol-3,20-dione obtained as the crude product under Step (b) above, is fermented with Bacillus lentus for 30 hours and further worked up. The residue is extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone and there is obtained as the crude product 16α-methyl-9α-fluoro-?1,4- pregnadiene-11β,21-diol-3,20-dione.

brand name

Topicort (Taro) [Name previously used: Desoxymethasone.].

Therapeutic Function

Antiinflammatory

General Description

Desoximetasone, 9-fluoro-11β, 21-dihydroxy-16α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, like clocortolone pivalate, lacks a C17α OH group inits structure.

Pharmacokinetics

Like other topical corticosteroids, desoximetasone has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties. Once absorbed through the skin, topical corticosteroids are handled through pharmacokinetic pathways similar to systemically administered corticosteroids. Desoximetasone is a potent topical corticosteroid that should not be used with occlusive dressings. It is recommended that treatment should be limited to 2 consecutive weeks and therapy should be discontinued when adequate results have been achieved.

Metabolism

Metabolized, primarily in the liver, and then excreted by the kidneys.