Evaluations of the comparative efficacy and safety of hydrocortisone valerate 0.2% ointment were made in six double-blind, multicenter trials involving a total of 485 patients, 209 with atopic dermatitis and 276 with plaque psoriasis. The vasoconstrictor activity of hydrocortisone valerate 0.2% ointment was also assessed in normal subjects. Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2% ointment displayed therapeutic effects within three days. In terms of global evaluations of efficacy, hydrocortisone valerate was more effective than vehicle and was comparable to other intermediate or moderate potency corticosteroid ointments. The vasoconstrictor activity of hydrocortisone valerate 0.2% ointment was greater than that of other moderate potency ointments.