Comparative systemic and topical toxicity in male rats treated on the dorsal skin for 14 consecutive days with a volume of 0.15 g/100 g (body weight) of 0.1% hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate (HBP) ointment, 0.05% clobetasol propionate (CP) ointment, 0.1% predonisolone 17-valerate 21-acetate (PVA) ointment and 0.1% diflucortolone valerate (DV) ointment was studied. In all the treated groups body weight gain was suppressed, serum concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides increased and the lymphatic tissues and skin were atrophic. The DV and CP groups had adrenal atrophy and renal lesions, and the DV group also had gastric and hepatic lesions. The systemic effect of HBP ointment was weaker than that of the other drugs (DV greater than CP much greater than PVA greater than HBP). All the drugs significantly reduced the skin fold thickness in treated areas throughout the application period. The dermal atrophic effect of HBP ointment was also relatively weaker than that of the other drugs. From the above evidence, it was concluded that HBP ointment was less toxic than the other topical corticosteroids.