Experiences with
ClobetasolClobetasol is a steroid medicine that's used on the skin to treat swelling, itching and irritation. Although it is a steroid, it's not the same as anabolic steroids.
Clobetasol is a very strong steroid. It works by reducing the swelling (inflammation), itching and pain caused by an allergic reaction or irritation.
It can help with skin problems such as:
Clobetasol is available on prescription only.
It comes as a cream, ointment, scalp treatment and shampoo.
There is also a cream and ointment called clobetasone which sounds similar to clobetasol. Clobetasone is much milder and you can buy it from pharmacies or shops.
Clobetasol is also available as a medicine combined with an antibiotic (neomycin sulfate) and an antifungal (nystatin). This is only available on prescription.
Who can use clobetasol
Most adults and children aged 1 year and over can use clobetasol cream, ointment and scalp treatment.
Do not use clobetasol shampoo on children under the age of 2 years.
Who may not be able to use clobetasol
Clobetasol may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell a pharmacist or doctor before using it if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to clobetasol or any other medicine, or to cetostearyl alcohol or chlorocresol (ingredients in clobetasol cream)
- have a skin infection, broken skin, cuts or itchy skin which is not inflamed or red – if you have a skin infection, using clobetasol can make it worse or cause it to spread
- have acne or rosacea
- have skin problems on your face (clobetasol can only be used on the face if a doctor prescribes it, for a maximum of 5 days)
Dosage and strength
Clobetasol comes in different strengths:
- cream, ointment and scalp treatment contain 0.5mg of clobetasol in every 1g
- shampoo contains 500mcg of clobetasol in every 1g
Clobetasol cream is much stronger than other steroid creams such as hydrocortisone 1% strength.
Most people only need to use clobetasol 1 or 2 times a day for 1 week. A doctor may suggest that you use it for longer than 1 week.
If it's been prescribed for your child under 12 years of age, do not use it on them for longer than 5 days unless the doctor has seen them again.
How to use cream or ointment
Cream is better for skin that is moist or weepy. Ointment is thicker and greasier, and is better for dry or flaky areas of skin.
The amount of cream or ointment you use is sometimes measured in fingertip units. This is the amount of cream or ointment you can squeeze onto your fingertip (the top of your finger down to the first bend in your finger).
A fingertip unit of cream should be enough to treat an area of skin that is double the size of the palm of your hand.
For babies and children, the right amount of cream depends on their age. A doctor or pharmacist can advise you.
A fingertip unit of cream
- Wash your hands.
- Spread the cream or ointment in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin.
- Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction that your hair grows.
- Be careful not to get the cream or ointment into broken skin or cuts.
- Wash your hands afterwards (unless it's your hands that you're treating).
- Use the cream or ointment on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas.
If you use it twice a day, try to leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours.
Do not use clobetasol at the same time as other creams or ointments such as a moisturiser. Wait at least 30 minutes between using clobetasol and any other product.
If you need to use a dressing like a bandage or plaster, wait at least 10 minutes after putting clobetasol on.
Do not cover the cream or ointment with dressings or bandages if you're treating a child.
Skin creams can dry onto your clothes and bedding. This makes them more likely to catch fire. Avoid naked flames.
The usual daily dose is 7.5ml – around one and a half teaspoons. Use clobetasol shampoo once a day.
- Wash your hands.
- Apply the shampoo directly to your dry scalp, taking care to cover and massage all of the affected areas.
- Only use the recommended amount.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the shampoo.
- Leave the shampoo to work for 15 minutes. Do not cover it with anything.
- Rinse the shampoo off with water and dry your hair as usual.
Use your usual shampoo after the clobetasol shampoo if you need to wash your hair. Do not use more clobetasol shampoo.
How to use scalp treatment
- Shake the bottle thoroughly before each use.
- Wash your hands.
- Unscrew the bottle cap and place the nozzle directly on your scalp.
- Gently squeeze the bottle to cover the area with a thin and even layer of liquid.
- Do not use more than the recommended amount.
- You can rub this liquid in, but you do not have to.
- Leave to dry. Your scalp will feel cool while the liquid is drying.
- Wash your hands again.
Use a small amount of scalp treatment twice a day, in the morning and evening, until your symptoms improve. Speak to your doctor about gradually reducing your treatments until you can stop.
How long to use it for
For contact dermatitis you'll probably only need to use it for up to 1 week.
For long-term skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, you may need to use the medicine for longer under the supervision of a doctor.
To reduce the risk of side effects, a doctor may recommend that you only use clobetasol for a few weeks at a time.
Talk to a doctor if your skin or scalp problem gets worse or does not improve within 2 to 4 weeks, or 5 days for children under 12 years.
Do not use clobetasol for more than 4 weeks without talking to a doctor. If you need treatment for a long time, a doctor may recommend that you use a milder cream or ointment.
If you have been using clobetasol for a long time, you may need to gradually reduce the amount you use and how often before stopping it completely. This reduces the chance of your symptoms coming back.
Talk to a doctor if you want to stop treatment after using clobetasol for a long time.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use clobetasol, use it as soon as you remember, unless it's within a few hours of your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose then follow your normal routine.
Stopping clobetasol
Talk to your doctor before stopping treatment if you've been using clobetasol for a long time. They may tell you to gradually use less of it, and use it less often, before you stop completely. This reduces the chance of your symptoms coming back.
Using clobetasol for a long time can increase the risk of having a withdrawal reaction when you stop using it. You might have a burning feeling and redness, although this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin.
The reaction will feel different to the skin condition you've been using clobetasol for. It may cover a larger area than the area you were treating.
If you get a withdrawal reaction or your condition comes back within 2 weeks of stopping clobetasol, do not start using it again without checking with your doctor.
Common side effects
Some people feel burning or stinging for a few minutes when they put clobetasol cream on their skin. This usually stops happening after you've been using it for a few days.
If your doctor has prescribed high doses of clobetasol, or you're also taking other steroid medicines or tablets for fungal infections or HIV, you may get symptoms of underactive adrenal glands as a side effect.
Ask your doctor if you need to carry a steroid emergency card.
Speak to a doctor if your condition gets worse while you're using clobetasol, or comes back within 2 weeks of stopping treatment. Do not start using clobetasol again without speaking to a doctor.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare. They happen to less than 1 in 10,000 people who use clobetasol. You're more likely to have a serious side effect if you use clobetasol on a large area of skin for a long time.
Clobetasol cream contains cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause a skin reaction in the area you are treating, and chlorocresol, which may cause an allergic reaction.
Stop using clobetasol and call a doctor or call 111 now if:
- your skin becomes more red (which may be more difficult to see on black or brown skin), or swollen, you get white patches on your skin or yellow fluid is weeping from your skin – these are signs of a new skin infection or an existing one getting worse
- you are using clobetasol for psoriasis and you get raised bumps filled with pus (pustules) under the skin
- you have stomach pain, feel sick or are being sick, have muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, you feel dizzy, faint or very tired, or your mood changes – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
- you feel confused, sleepy, more thirsty or more hungry than usual, you pee more often, have hot flushes or your breath smells of fruit – these can be signs of high blood sugar
- you have any new problems with your eyesight after starting to use clobetasol
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to clobetasol.
Meds New IA (H4) - serious allergic reactionUsing clobetasol continuously for a long time can mean some of the medicine gets into your blood. If this happens, there's a very small risk of it causing serious side effects, such as adrenal gland problems, high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) or problems with your eyesight.
It can also make your skin thinner or cause stretch marks. Stretch marks are likely to be permanent, but they usually fade over time.
If you've been using clobetasol for a long time, your doctor may tell you to gradually reduce the amount you use before stopping completely.
If you've been using clobetasol for a long time, you may have a skin reaction within a few days or weeks after stopping treatment (topical steroid withdrawal reaction). You might have a burning feeling and redness, although this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin. If this happens, ask your doctor for advice.
Children and teenagers
In very rare cases, using clobetasol for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers. This is because it is a steroid.
Your child's doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully while they are using this medicine. This will help them spot any slowing down of your child's growth and change their treatment if needed.
Even if your child's growth slows down, it does not seem to have much effect on their eventual adult height.
Talk to a doctor if you're worried. They will be able to explain the benefits and risks of your child using clobetasol.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of clobetasol. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Clobetasol and pregnancy
Clobetasol can be used during pregnancy.
Because it's applied to your skin, very little of it gets into your blood and almost none gets to your baby. Even if a small amount does get to your baby, it will not harm them.
Clobetasol and breastfeeding
If your doctor says you need to, you can use clobetasol products while you are breastfeeding.
It is not known how much passes into breast milk but it's likely to be a tiny amount.
Try to use it on as small an area as possible for the shortest time possible, and take care that your baby does not touch the areas of your body where you've used clobetasol.
If you're using clobetasol on your chest, avoid applying it to the nipples. If you put it on your breasts, wash it off, then wash your hands before feeding your baby.
It's usually better to use cream rather than ointment when breastfeeding, as it's easier to wash off.
Clobetasol and fertility
There's no evidence that clobetasol affects fertility in either men or women.
Meds New IA (H2) - Pregnancy non-urgent care cardCautions with other medicines
Most medicines do not affect the way clobetasol works, but tell a pharmacist or doctor if you're taking:
- ritonavir (for HIV infection)
- itraconazole (for a fungal infection)
These medicines can increase the levels of clobetasol in your body and increase the chances of side effects.
Mixing clobetasol with herbal remedies and supplements
There's not enough information to say whether complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with clobetasol. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.
Meds New IA (H2) - Cautions with other medicines alertRelated links
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