Clobetasone 0.05% Ointment

What is Clobetasone and what is it used for?

Clobetasone 0.05% ointment is used to treat inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. Its active ingredient is clobetasone butyrate, a moderately potent corticosteroid that is applied directly to the skin and works to reduce redness, inflammation and itching of the skin.

Clobetasone Ointment is available in 30-gram tubes and can be purchased on prescription by adults over the age of 18 years. If you are unsure if this is the right treatment for you speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition that affects 20% of children and 8% of adults in the UK. It causes the skin to become dry, scaly and itchy. In severe cases of eczema, the skin may begin to weep and bleed. If the skin splits, it becomes open to various types of infection. Corticosteroids are usually used to treat eczema only when it flares up due to an allergen or irritant. If your eczema flares up frequently, you may be prescribed a corticosteroid to use twice per week as a preventative measure.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is another condition that involves dry, scaly skin. It most often occurs on the hands, feet, elbows, knees and scalp. It is thought to occur when the immune system targets healthy skin cells. Psoriasis can flare up due to stress, injury, a reaction to some types of medicine, hormonal changes, smoking or excessive drinking.

How does Clobetasone work?

Corticosteroids such as clobetasone butyrate are anti-inflammatory medicines. Skin becomes inflamed when the body releases inflammatory chemicals in response to an allergen or irritation. These chemicals make blood vessels widen, causing the skin to swell and become itchy and painful. Corticosteroids prevent this by inhibiting cells from releasing large amounts of these substances.

Alternatives to Clobetasone

Clobetasone Ointment is just one treatment option for eczema and psoriasis. Eumovate Cream & Ointment is a direct, branded, alternative to Clobetasone. It contains the exact same active ingredients in the same quantity.

Clobetasone may not be the right treatment option for you, for more information on alternative prescription and over the counter treatments please take a look at our Advice for Eczema & Dermatitis and our Psoriasis page.

Sources

• Clobetasone Ointment, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/clobetasone
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/steroids/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/topical-steroids/

How to use Clobetasone

• Apply this product thinly and carefully to the affected area(s). The amount required will vary depending on the area of skin which is affected.
• Gently rub in the ointment so that it is properly absorbed. This should be done one or two times per day. This dose can be decreased once symptoms begin to improve.
• It is advised not to use Clobetasone for more than four weeks. Talk to your GP if you do not notice improved symptoms after two to four weeks of regular treatment.
• You may be using other topical medicines alongside Clobetasone ointment. If this is the case, you are advised to wait at least 30 minutes between applications. This will prevent any medicine from becoming diluted.

Clobetasone Ingredients

The active ingredients contained in Clobetasone are: Clobetasone butyrate (0.05% w/w)

Clobetasone side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take Clobetasone, however, if you do they may include:

• An itching or burning sensation on the affected area
• acne
• hair growth

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Clobetasone warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Clobetasone is unsuitable for you if you are allergic to any of the ointment’s ingredients.

Clobetasone can cause the following conditions to worsen:

• Viral infections (e.g. cold sores, herpes, chickenpox)
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections (e.g. thrush, athlete’s foot)
• Acne
• Rosacea (flushing of skin around the nose)
• Perioral dermatitis (a rash around the mouth).

Consult your GP if you plan on applying Clobetasone under a bandage, dressing or nappy. You may be advised to reduce your dose.

If you are using Clobetasone to treat psoriasis, you will likely be advised to have more frequent check-ups.

Clobetasone and other medicines

Clobetasone may interact with the following medicines:

• HIV medicines (e.g. ritonavir)
• Antifungal medicines (e.g. itraconazole)

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.