Pharmaceutical formulations containing corticosteroids for topical administration

1. A method of treating a dermatological or mucosal disorder or condition, the method comprising topically administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a corticosteroid to the skin of an individual having the dermatological or mucosal disorder or condition, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises:

a liquid oil component comprising one or more monocarboxylic acid esters and/or dicarboxylic acid esters, and mineral oil, light mineral oil, or a combination thereof, and

a corticosteroid at a concentration of about 0.01% to about 0.030% or less, and wherein at least 25% of the corticosteroid is solubilized in the liquid oil component at a temperature of 22° C.+/−2° C.; and

an aqueous component comprising water;

wherein the corticosteroid is selected from the group consisting of clobetasol propionate, betamethasone dipropionate, halobetasol propionate, diflorasone diacetate, desoximetasone, mometasone furoate, betamethasone valerate, halcinonide, budesonide, fluocinonide, and amcinonide; and

wherein the pharmaceutical composition is free of white petrolatum;

wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a lotion or a cream.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corticosteroid is halobetasol propionate.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the concentration of the corticosteroid is about 0.03%.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the corticosteroid is about 0.01%.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid oil component comprises a dicarboxylic acid ester.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the dicarboxylic acid ester is diethyl sebacate.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid oil component comprises a monocarboxylic acid ester.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the monocarboxylic acid ester is isopropyl myristate.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid oil component comprises light mineral oil.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid oil component further comprises an emulsifying agent.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aqueous component further comprises one or more humectants, preservatives, chelating agents, emulsifying agents, thickening agents, or a combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pH adjusting agent.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated as a lotion.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dermatological or mucosal disorder or condition is psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, hand dermatitis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, rash, or poison ivy dermatitis.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the dermatological or mucosal disorder or condition is plaque psoriasis.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises administering the pharmaceutical composition to the skin once daily or twice daily.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises administering the pharmaceutical composition for a period of treatment longer than two weeks.

18. A method of treating a dermatological or mucosal disorder or condition, the method comprising topically administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising halobetasol propionate to the skin of an individual having the dermatological or mucosal disorder or condition, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises:

a liquid oil component comprising one or more monocarboxylic acid esters and/or dicarboxylic acid esters, and mineral oil, light mineral oil, or a combination thereof;

halobetasol propionate at a concentration of 0.01%, and wherein at least 25% of the corticosteroid is solubilized in the liquid oil component at a temperature of 22° C.+/−2° C.; and

an aqueous component comprising water;

wherein the pharmaceutical composition is free of white petrolatum; and

wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a lotion or a cream.