FAQ
The Answers You Need
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Clobetasol is a topical (skin-applied) corticosteroid medication used to treat skin conditions that have not responded well to other corticosteroids, including severe psoriasis and eczematous dermatitis. The scalp lotion and shampoo are used to treat psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis occurring on the scalp. Clobetasol works by reducing swelling, redness, and itching.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Cream 0.05%
Each gram contains 0.5 mg of clobetasol 17-propionate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetyl alcohol, chlorocresol, citric acid, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl stearate/PEG 100 stearate, propylene glycol, purified water, stearyl alcohol, sodium citrate, and white wax.
Ointment 0.05%
Each gram contains 0.5 mg of clobetasol 17-propionate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: propylene glycol, sorbitan sesquiplane, and white petrolatum.
Scalp Application 0.05%
Each gram contains 0.5 mg of clobetasol 17-propionate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carbomer 934P, isopropyl alcohol, purified water, and sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment.
How should I use this medication?
Cream and ointment: Apply the medication sparingly to cover the affected area and gently rub it into the skin 2 or 3 times daily. The total dose applied should not be more than 50 g in a week. Use this medication with caution on lesions near the eye. Take care to prevent it from getting into the eye.
Lotion: Apply the lotion to the affected areas of skin 2 times daily and rub it in gently and completely. The total dose should not exceed 50 g (50 mL) in a week.
Scalp lotion: Apply the lotion 1 or 2 times daily to the affected areas of the scalp and rub in gently. The total dose should not exceed 50 mL in a week. Clobetasol scalp applications should not be used near an open flame.
Foam: Apply a thin layer of foam 2 times daily to the affected areas of the skin and rub in gently until the foam is absorbed. The foam is extremely flammable, so avoid fire, flames, sparks or smoking during and immediately after applying. The total dose applied should not exceed 50 g in a week.
Spray: Apply the solution 2 times daily to the affected areas of the skin and rub in gently. The total dose should not exceed 50 mL in a week.
Shampoo: A thin film of clobetasol shampoo should be applied directly to the affected area of the scalp once daily. The shampoo is applied to the lesions on dry scalp and rubbed in gently. Leave it on for 15 minutes before wetting the hair, lathering, and rinsing. The total dose applied should not be more than 50 mL in a week.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Clobetasol 17 - propionate should not be used by or given to anyone who:
is allergic to clobetasol propionate or any ingredients of the medication
is allergic to other corticosteroids
is under 12 months old
has untreated infected bacterial, fungal, viral (herpes simplex, skin rash resulting from vaccination, chickenpox), or tuberculous skin lesions
Clobetasol 17 - propionate should not to be used to treat:
acne vulgaris
dermatitis around the mouth
itching around the anus and genitals
rosacea