US Patent 7378405 Stabilized steroid composition and method for its preparation

Stabilized 17-substituted hydrocortisone containing compositions and methods of manufacture. Isomerization of the hydrocortisone component of topical steroid compositions is markedly reduced by introducing an omega-6. acid in the form of linoleic acid into the skin preparation. Preferably, the linoleic acid is added as a component of refined safflower oil. The omega-6 acid has been found to be an effective way of preventing the isomerization of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate into the undesirable isomer HC21-B.