Clobetasone
Description
Clobetasone is a topical medicine used to treat skin disorders like eczema (a skin condition in which skin becomes dry, itchy, red, and bumpy), dermatitis (skin irritation), diaper rash, and insect bites. It is used for a short period to relieve redness, swelling, and itching associated with these skin problems. Clobetasone reduces the production of certain chemicals in your body and reduces inflammation on your skin.
Clobetasone may cause side effects like burning, itching, and redness at the application site. These symptoms last only for few days and disappear with time as your body adjusts to the medicine. It is recommended to perform a patch test (a procedure done on your skin to see if you are allergic to the cream) before using it on the affected skin. Longer use of this cream is not recommended as it can cause side effects.
Clobetasone is for external use only. Apply a thin layer of Clobetasone to the affected areas as prescribed by your doctor. Wash your hands with a gentle cleanser before and after applying Clobetasone. Always keep the affected area clean and dry. Avoid wrapping any bandages. It may take a few days or weeks for the results to show. Use this medicine only for the prescribed duration. If the symptoms are not resolved within 4 weeks, consult your doctor before continuing the treatment. Avoid contact with your eyes, nose, vagina, and mouth. Rinse with water immediately if the cream comes in contact with these areas.
Clobetasone is not used for skin infections that are not associated with swelling. This cream is not recommended for pimples or any other skin condition that is not responsive to steroids. Clobetasone should not be used in children less than 12 years of age unless prescribed by your doctor. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding before using this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Clobetasone
- Skin rash
- Skin thinning
- Changes in color of skin
- Dry skin
- Burning or irritation of the skin
- Itching
Uses of Clobetasone
What is it prescribed for?
- Steroid responsive skin conditions
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionYou will start to see an improvement during the first few days of treatment with Clobetasone. It is important to finish your entire course of treatment even if your condition gets better.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Clobetasone remains active in your body is not clinically established.
- 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 Clobetasone.
- Usage in pregnancy?Clobetasone is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Sufficient studies have not been conducted to understand its safety and efficiency in pregnancy. This medicine is prescribed by your doctor only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known if Clobetasone is present in breast milk or not. Therefore, this cream is not recommended while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine. If you use this cream, avoid applying it on the breast area as your baby might accidentally get Clobetasone in the mouth.
Allergy
Avoid using Clobetasone if you are previously allergic to it. Using this cream in such cases could lead to symptoms such as redness, abnormal swelling, hives, breathing difficulties, etc. You should ask your doctor for another suitable alternative in such cases.
Pruritus without inflammation
The use of Clobetasone is not recommended for the treatment of skin itching that is not associated with swelling. In such cases, it could lead to worsening of the skin condition.
Acne vulgaris
Acne vulgaris is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles get blocked by oil and dead skin cells. It may cause whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. Clobetasone is not used for the treatment of acne as using steroids can make the oil (sebaceous) glands susceptible to swelling and infection. This can complicate the acne flare-ups and worsen the condition.
Skin infections not responsive to steroids
Not all skin conditions respond to steroid treatment. Avoid the use of Clobetasone if you have skin infections that are not responsive to steroids. Consult your doctor before using this medicine to understand your skin condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Clobetasone is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Sufficient studies have not been conducted to understand its safety and efficiency in pregnancy. This medicine is prescribed by your doctor only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Clobetasone is present in breast milk or not. Therefore, this cream is not recommended while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine. If you use this cream, avoid applying it on the breast area as your baby might accidentally get Clobetasone in the mouth.
General warnings
Use in children
Clobetasone is not recommended for use in children less than 12 years of age unless directed by your doctor. Long-term continuous treatment should be avoided.
Application to the face
Long-term application of Clobetasone to your face should be avoided due to the increased risk of side effects. If you are applying the medicine to your face, care should be taken that the medicine does not get into your eyes. Repeated exposure to Clobetasone may increase the risk of cataracts (cloudy area in the lens of the eye that affects vision) and glaucoma (damage of the optic nerve of the eye).
Missed Dose
If you forget to apply a dose of Clobetasone then apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not apply a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never apply more than the prescribed dose. An overdose of Clobetasone is not likely to cause severe symptoms unless it is applied for a prolonged period in large volumes. However, ingestion of this cream may be harmful and you can experience side effects. Seek immediate medical attention in such cases.
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
Disease interactions
Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome is a disorder in which your body makes too much of a hormone called cortisol. Prolonged use of Clobetasone may lead to absorption of this drug in the body through your skin and cause Cushing's syndrome. If you experience symptoms like swelling of the face, increase in blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, etc. then consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor may advise a gradual withdrawal of this medicine by decreasing the frequency or use an alternate medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Clobetasone is a topical preparation intended for external use only.
Clean the affected area gently before applying the cream. Apply the cream in a thin layer over the affected area.
Avoid applying this cream over open wounds or broken skin.
You should not cover the application area with bandages or other coverings unless specifically instructed by your doctor.
If the itchy area becomes infected then stop using this medicine and consult a doctor.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or resolve. Avoid using it for more than the prescribed duration.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Clobetasone is a topical steroid. It works by inhibiting the production of certain chemicals (such as prostaglandins) which reduces inflammation (swelling), itching, and redness on your skin.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Topical Corticosteroids
Schedule
Schedule H
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Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Eumovate Ointment - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 April 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - CLOBETASOL PROPIONATE CREAM USP, 0.05% CLOBETASOL PROPIONATE CREAM USP, 0.05%- clobetasol propionate cream usp, 0.05% cream. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 August 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Clobetasol Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 3 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 18 Oct 2021
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