Clobetasol

Clobetasol is a prescription topical steroid used to treat the inflammation and itching caused by a number of skin conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis. Clobetasol is a very strong (super-high-potency) corticosteroid.

• Clobetasol is available under the following different brand names: Temovate, Temovate E, Cormax, Clobex, Clobex Spray, Clarelux, Cormax Ointment, Cormax Scalp Application, Olux, Olux-E, and Olux-E Foam.

Adult and Pediatric Dosages:

• Cream, gel, ointment, shampoo, liquid, lotion, solution, spray and foam 0.05%

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Corticosteroid-responsive Dermatoses

Adult:

• Cream/foam: apply a thin layer to affected areas every 12 hours and rub in gently and completely; not to exceed 50 g/week

Pediatric:

• Children under 12 years old: safety and efficacy not established
• Children over 12 years: cream/foam: apply a thin layer to affected areas every 12 hours and rub in gently and completely, not to exceed 50 g/week

Corticosteroid-responsive Dermatoses of the Scalp

Adult:

• Foam: Apply to the affected area in scalp every 12 hours for up to 2 weeks; not to exceed 50 g or 50 ml/week

Pediatric:

• Children under 12 years old: safety and efficacy not established
• Children over 12 years old: Apply to the affected area in scalp every 12 hours for up to 2 weeks; not to exceed 50 g or 50 ml/week

Scalp Psoriasis

Adult:

• Shampoo: Apply a thin film to dry scalp once a day; leave in place for 15 minutes, add water, lather, and then rinse thoroughly

Pediatric:

• Children under 12 years old: safety and efficacy not established
• Children over 12 years: shampoo: apply a thin film to dry scalp once per day; leave in place for 12 minutes; add water, lather, and then rinse thoroughly

Mild to Moderate Plaque-type Psoriasis of Nonscalp Areas

Adult:

• Foam: Apply to the affected area in scalp every 12 hours for up to 2 weeks; not to exceed 50 g/week

Pediatric:

• Children under 12 years old: safety and efficacy not established
• Children over 12 years old: foam: Apply to the affected area in scalp every 12 hours for up to 2 weeks; not to exceed 50 g/week

Moderate to Severe Plaque-type Psoriasis

• Emollient/cream/lotion: Apply to the affected area in scalp every 12 hours for up to 2 weeks if the area is less than 10% of the body surface area; not to exceed 50 g/week
• Spray: Apply by spraying onto affected area every 12 hours; rub into the skin; should not be used for more than 4 weeks

Side effects of clobetasol include:

• thinning or softening of your skin
• skin rash or irritation around your mouth
• swollen hair follicles
• temporary hair loss
• spider veins
• changes in the color of treated skin
• blisters
• pimples
• acne
• crusting of treated skin
• extreme/unwanted hair growth
• stretch marks
• burning
• itching
• dryness
• redness
• rash
• cracking/fissuring of the skin
• irritation
• numbness
• itching
• stinging
• loss of skin color (hypopigmentation [high potency topical steroids])
• intracranial high blood pressure (hypertension) reported in children with the use of topical formulation
• adrenal suppression
• Cushing syndrome (weight gain, irregular menstrual periods, high blood pressure, changes in memory, mood, and concentration)
• high blood sugar
• acneform lesions
• secondary infection
• hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) suppression (with higher potency used over 2 weeks); doses as low as 2 g/day can produce HPA suppression

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Clobetasol has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Clobetasol has no known serious interactions with other drugs.
• Clobetasol has no known moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Clobetasol has no known mild interactions with other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

• This medication contains clobetasol. Do not use Temovate, Temovate E, Cormax, Clobex, Clobex Spray, Clarelux, Cormax Ointment, Cormax Scalp Application, Olux, Olux-E, or Olux-E Foam if you are allergic to clobetasol or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Viral, fungal, or tubercular skin lesions
• Hypersensitivity
• Ophthalmic use

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Clobetasol ?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Clobetasol ?"

Cautions

• Chronic topical corticosteroid therapy may interfere with growth and development in children
• May cause hypercorticism or suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, especially in younger children or patients receiving high doses for prolonged periods
• Allergic contact dermatitis reported with use; diagnosed by failure to heal rather than clinical exacerbation
• Kaposi's sarcoma reported with prolonged corticosteroid treatment
• Percutaneous absorption of corticosteroids may cause manifestations of Cushing syndrome
• Use lower potency in children; may absorb proportionally larger amounts after topical application and may cause systemic effects

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use clobetasol during pregnancy with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available, or neither animal nor human studies were done.
• Excretion in breast milk is unknown; use caution when breastfeeding.