Methods and compositions for enhancing the activity and/or duration of action of soft anti-inflammatory steroids of the haloalkyl 17.alpha.-alkoxy-11.beta.-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one-17.beta.-carboxylate type and the corresponding .DELTA..sup.1,4 compounds and of anti-inflammatory steroids of the hydrocortisone and prednisolone type are described. The enhancing agents have the formula: ##STR00001## wherein R is H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl; Z.sub.1 is carbonyl or .beta.-hydroxymethylene; X.sub.1 is --O-- or --S--; R.sub.5 is --OH, --OR.sub.6, --OCOOR.sub.6 or --OCOR.sub.7 wherein R.sub.6 is C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl and R.sub.7 is C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, fluoromethyl or chloromethyl; and the dotted line in ring A indicates that the 1,2-linkage is saturated or unsaturated; with the proviso that when R is C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, then R.sub.5 is --OH.