Frontiers of rapid itch relief: a review of methylprednisolone aceponate.

In a paediatric population, the successful management of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) should include the careful evaluation and selection of available therapies, based not only on demonstrated safety and tolerability in small children and infants, but also on their evidence-based, anti-pruritic benefits. Moreover, the speed of anti-pruritic effect should be considered a significant parameter in treatment selection. The fourth-generation topical corticosteroid (TC) methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent with a demonstrated fast and effective itch relief profile in children and infants (as young as 2 months) with AD. Compared with traditional TCs, MPA has a significantly improved therapeutic index; that is, increased potency without a proportionate increase in side effects. In addition to its established efficacy, the once-daily application and broad range of available formulations make MPA an optimal choice for acute and maintenance therapy in paediatric patients with AD-related pruritus.