Clobetasol Spray: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Clobetasol Spray contains clobetasol propionate, a super-high potency topical corticosteroid. It is a very strong steroid spray applied to the skin for short periods to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. It works by calming the skin's immune response to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching, and is also available in other forms such as cream, lotion, ointment, gel, foam, and shampoo for other skin conditions.

What is Clobetasol Spray

This medicine is a very strong steroid spray that you apply to the skin. It is used for short periods of time to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

Clobetasol Spray uses

• Treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults 18 years and older
• Also used in other forms (cream, lotion, ointment, gel, foam, shampoo) for inflammation and itching from various skin conditions
• Treats moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis
• Reduces skin inflammation
• Reduces redness
• Relieves itching

Benefits of Clobetasol Spray

• Reduces redness, scaling, and itching caused by psoriasis
• Spray form allows direct, controlled application to affected skin without rubbing in a thick cream
• Provides strong anti-inflammatory activity
• Can rapidly reduce psoriasis symptoms
• Available as a convenient topical spray

How Clobetasol Spray works

This medicine is a topical steroid. It works by calming down the body's immune response in the skin, which reduces inflammation. This helps relieve redness, scaling, and itching.

Clobetasol Spray dosage

Apply to the affected skin twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, and rub in gently and completely. Wash your hands carefully with water after applying. Before applying, wash the area to be treated with a mild cleanser, pat dry, and wait several minutes.

Do not apply to the face, underarms, groin, or near the eyes or lips. Do not cover the treated skin with a bandage or other covering unless your healthcare professional tells you to, and do not use with occlusive (airtight) dressings.

This medicine should not be used for more than 4 consecutive weeks. If your skin has not improved within 2 weeks, talk to your healthcare professional. Stop using once your plaques have healed. This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age, and must not be used in children under 2 years of age.

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue your regular schedule — do not double up. This medicine is flammable; avoid using it near heat or open flame.

Available forms and strengths

• Spray/solution, 0.05% w/w

Side effects of Clobetasol Spray

Common

• Burning, pain
• Dry skin, skin irritation
• Itching, rash, redness
• Thinning of the skin
• Swelling of the skin
• Darkening of the skin around the plaque being treated
• Inflammation and infection of the hair follicles (folliculitis)
• Spider veins
• Stretch marks
• Acne
• Excessive hair growth

Serious

• Adrenal suppression: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever, chest pain; can lead to death
• Osteoporosis or osteonecrosis (thin, fragile bones): bone/joint pain, broken bones, back pain that gets worse when standing or walking
• Vision problems (glaucoma or cataracts): failing eyesight, blurred vision, eye pain, increased pressure in the eye
• Infections: raised temperature and feeling unwell
• Worsening of psoriasis or pustular psoriasis: red, scaly, thick patches of skin, clearly defined raised bumps filled with white, thick fluid
• Wounds that are slow to heal
• Immunosuppression: getting sick or having infections often, purplish spots on skin or in the mouth/throat, swollen lymph nodes
• Cushing's syndrome: weight gain in the upper body, puffy face, skin problems, excessive hair growth, acne, irregular periods, infections
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar): increased thirst/hunger, frequent urination, dizziness, sweating
• Allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Allergic contact dermatitis: red rash, itching, dry, scaly skin, oozing and crusting, swelling, tenderness

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine for more than 4 weeks in a row, as prolonged use of this very strong steroid can cause serious side effects.
• Using too much of this medicine, using it for too long, over large areas, on broken skin, or on the face, underarms, or groin can shut down your adrenal glands (adrenal suppression), which can be serious and make it hard for your body to respond to stress or illness.
• This medicine can weaken your immune system, which may hide signs of infection, reactivate old infections, or cause new infections due to lowered body resistance.
• Do not use near or on the eyes or eyelids because of the risk of glaucoma or cataracts.
• Do not cover the treated skin with a bandage or dressing unless your healthcare professional tells you to, since this increases how much medicine is absorbed and raises the risk of adrenal suppression.
• This medicine is flammable, so keep it away from heat or open flame.
• Should not be used on skin with bacterial, fungal, or certain viral infections, or on ulcerated wounds.
• Tell your doctor before surgery, including dental surgery, that you are using this medicine.
• There isn't enough research on whether this medicine is safe in pregnancy. It should only be used in pregnancy if the benefit clearly outweighs the possible risk to the baby, and only on your doctor's advice.
• It isn't known if this medicine passes into breast milk in amounts that could affect a nursing baby, but caution is advised, and it should not be used while breastfeeding unless clearly needed.
• No routine renal dose adjustment is required for topical use.
• People with severe liver problems should use this medicine with special caution and be closely monitored, since the liver breaks down the drug and problems can cause it to build up in the body.
• No major direct interaction with alcohol is established.
• Clobetasol spray is not expected to impair driving.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (15° to 30°C)
• Do not refrigerate
• Keep tightly closed
• Product is flammable, and should be kept away from heat or open flame
• Keep in a safe place out of the reach and sight of children

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of adrenal gland problems such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever, or chest pain — this can be serious and even life-threatening.
• Seek medical attention for vision changes such as blurred vision, eye pain, or increased pressure in the eye, as this medicine can cause glaucoma or cataracts.
• Get help immediately for signs of a serious allergic reaction such as rash, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you suspect you have developed an infection while using this medicine, since it can hide or worsen infections.
• If you accidentally swallow this medicine, contact your regional poison control center immediately.
• If you think you or someone you are caring for has used too much of this medicine, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or poison control center right away, even without symptoms.
• Tell your healthcare professional if your skin condition is not healing or gets worse, as this could be a sign of an allergic skin reaction.

Alternatives

• Betamethasone dipropionate
• Fluocinonide
• Halobetasol
• Mometasone