Clobetasol Propionate

Medically Reviewed by Dr. J.R.G. Peries, M.D – Cardiology

Last Reviewed: Apr 27, 2023

Warnings

Clobetasol (Clobex) Warnings, Risks, and Complications

Clobetasol can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at increased risk of complications from clobetasol use.

SKIN REACTIONS: Clobetasol (Clobex) can cause skin reactions, including dryness, itching, skin thinning, stretch marks, spider veins, burning, irritation, inflammation of hair follicles, pustules, skin color changes, rashes, and infection. Risk factors are using too much clobetasol or for longer than prescribed. Use small amounts of medicine only as prescribed and for the shortest time required for the skin treatment.
SKIN INFECTIONS: Clobetasol (Clobex) can decrease your body's capacity to combat infections, including skin infections. Prior skin infections and use for extended periods of time are risk factors. You should stop using it right away and contact your doctor if you experience redness, soreness, swelling, or pus where you are applying it.
HORMONAL CHANGES: Usage of large amounts of clobetasol (Clobex) for an extended time period or usage in children may cause the body to produce less amount of certain hormones required for various body functions. This may occur during treatment or if you abruptly stop using it. Apply the medication only as directed by your doctor, not more or for a prolonged period of time. This may increase the amount of medicine absorbed by your body and increase the chance that these hormonal changes will occur. Children who use clobetasol may have to undergo regular check-ups with their doctor while using this treatment.
HIGH BLOOD SUGAR: Clobetasol has the potential to increase your blood sugar. Risk factors include using clobetasol for longer than prescribed, over large areas of skin, covering the affected area tightly after application of clobetasol, a history of diabetes (high blood sugar), and liver failure. To help avoid this, apply a very thin layer of clobetasol to the region that has been affected for no longer than two weeks at a time (four weeks for the shampoo). Ask your doctor if you should check your blood sugar levels more frequently while taking clobetasol if you have diabetes or other medical conditions that impact your blood sugar.

Precautions Before Starting Clobetasol (Clobex)

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to clobetasol, any of the active or inactive ingredients in clobetasol topical products, or any other medicated creams, shampoos, gels, or foams. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Before using clobetasol topical, tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of skin infection, a skin reaction to any steroid medicine, liver disease, diabetes, or an adrenal gland disorder.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, non-prescription medicines, vitamins, supplements, herbal products, other corticosteroid medications and other topical medications.

This can help avoid possible interactions between clobetasol and your other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.

Precautions During Use of Clobetasol (Clobex)

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms are not improving or getting worse during clobetasol topical treatment.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking clobetasol topical.

Do not suddenly stop using clobetasol without your doctor’s approval. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Tell all your healthcare providers you are on clobetasol topical, especially before any surgery, including dental procedures.

Clobetasol (Clobex) Drug Interactions

The use of clobetasol, along with certain other drugs, can affect how the medicines work. Possible drug interactions between clobetasol and other medicines can also increase the risk of severe adverse events. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications or monitor you carefully for possible side effects if there are known interactions between clobetasol and your other medicines.

Clobetasol is a corticosteroid. It’s recommended to tell your doctor if you’re taking any other corticosteroid medications, either orally or applied topically to your skin

while you’re using clobetasol. This can result in an increased risk of side effects. These include hydrocortisone (Hydrocort, Solu-Cortef), betamethasone (Celestone), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Solu-Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone, Rayos, Prednisone Intensol).

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, non-prescription medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and non-prescription medicines.

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