Clobetasol
Description
Clobetasol is a corticosteroid medicine that is used to treat skin infections. This medicine is used in the treatment of eczema (dry and itchy skin) and dermatitis (irritation of the skin). Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other skin conditions too. Clobetasol works by blocking certain chemicals in your body that causes swelling, itching, and irritation. It also removes the dead skin cells and promotes healing.
Clobetasol may cause side effects such as thinning of the skin, redness, itching, irritation, burning sensation, etc. Consult your doctor if these conditions do not subside on their own. Avoid using this medicine if you are allergic to it. Similarly, Clobetasol should not be used if you have a fungal skin infection.
Clobetasol is a prescription medicine available in different dosage forms like cream, lotion, ointment, solution, gel and foam. The dose, dosage form and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on your condition. Clobetasol is for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes, ears, nose, mouth and open wounds. In case of accidental contact, wash thoroughly with water. Do not apply more than the prescribed quantity of this medicine.
Clobetasol is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age. Inform your doctor if you are using other medications for your skin conditions before starting treatment with this medicine. Also, let your doctor know if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding before using this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Clobetasol
- Burning sensation at the application site
- Dry skin
- Redness of skin
- Itching of skin
- Body pain
- Headache
Uses of Clobetasol
What is it prescribed for?
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Lichen Planus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe onset of action for Clobetasol is based on the characteristics of the skin and dosage form.
- Duration of effectThe duration of action of Clobetasol is not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported for Clobetasol.
- Usage in pregnancy?It is not known if Clobetasol is safe to be used in pregnancy or not. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known if Clobetasol passes into breastmilk or not. Topical application to the nipple may increase the risk of diarrhoea in the infant. Hence, consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid using Clobetasol if you are allergic to it. If you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching on the skin, hives (a skin rash triggered by a reaction to food or medicine), seek immediate medical attention.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
It is not known if Clobetasol is safe to be used in pregnancy or not. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Clobetasol passes into breastmilk or not. Topical application to the nipple may increase the risk of diarrhoea in the infant. Hence, consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Long term use
long-term use of Clobetasol should be avoided as it may cause thinning of skin at the site of application and skin may become highly prone to infections.
Secondary Cushing's syndrome
High doses of Clobetasol when taken for a long period of time lead to Cushing's syndrome (a condition that occurs from exposure to high cortisol levels for a long time) Any symptoms like excess sweating, excessive hunger, fatigue, flushing, high blood pressure, or osteoporosis increase in blood sugar levels should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Use in children
Clobetasol is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age as information about the safety and efficacy of this medicine for this age group is not available.
Infections
Clobetasol increase the chances of redness and swelling at the site of application, the area becomes prone to infections. Hence, it should be used with caution.
External use
Clobetasol is recommended for external use only. Avoid contact with your mouth, eyes, mucous membranes, cuts, or open wounds. Wash immediately with water in case of accidental contact.
Other medicines
Clobetasol may interact with other topical medicines and increase the risk of side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
If you forget to apply a dose of Clobetasol, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not apply two doses at a time to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
An overdose of Clobetasol is not likely to cause severe symptoms unless it is applied for prolonged periods in large amounts. However, ingestion of this medicine may cause harm and immediate medical intervention may be required.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Antidiabetic medicines
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Clobetasol is used for treating skin infections. Apply a thin layer of Clobetasol to the affected area as instructed by your doctor.
Follow all the usage instructions mentioned on the label or the package insert.
Avoid applying in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Avoid covering the application area with bandages or other coverings unless specifically instructed by your doctor.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or resolve even after two weeks of use.
Keep away from the reach of children and pets. Ensure that the unused medicine is disposed of properly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Clobetasol works by blocking the production of certain chemical messengers that make the skin red, swollen and itchy.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Topical steroids
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Dermovate Cream - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 March 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Clobetasol Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 30 March 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - CLOBETASOL PROPIONATE- clobetasol propionate cream. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 March 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 March 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 18 Nov 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.