Temovate Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Temovate Cream (clobetasol propionate) is a super-high potency topical corticosteroid applied to the skin. It is used to treat inflammation and itching caused by certain skin conditions, including plaque psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and lichen sclerosus. It works by calming the skin's inflammation response and is intended for short-term use only, under a doctor's direction.

What is Temovate Cream

Temovate is a very strong topical steroid cream or ointment applied to the skin. The generic name is clobetasol propionate, and it belongs to the topical corticosteroid (super-high potency) drug class. It is used to treat inflammation and itching caused by certain skin conditions.

Temovate Cream uses

• Plaque psoriasis and scalp psoriasis
• Skin conditions that respond to steroid medication, such as eczema, dermatitis, and allergic skin reactions
• Corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses
• Lichen sclerosus

Benefits of Temovate Cream

• Reduces redness, swelling, and itching of affected skin
• Can begin improving symptoms such as redness and itching within one to three days of use

How Temovate Cream works

Temovate works by calming the body's inflammation response in the skin. It blocks chemical signals that cause swelling, redness, and itching, and it also narrows blood vessels in the treated area.

Temovate Cream dosage

Wash your hands before and after applying, unless you are treating the skin on your hands. Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub it in gently and completely. Do not apply over a large area of skin unless your doctor tells you to, and do not cover the treated area with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid applying to the face, underarms, or groin area. Do not use on broken or infected skin or in open wounds. If treating the diaper area, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers.

This medicine is for short-term use only; stop using it once your skin symptoms are controlled if you are treating plaque psoriasis. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly; follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Rinse with water if this medicine gets in your eyes or mouth. Do not take this medicine by mouth; it is for use on the skin only.

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not apply two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream
• Ointment
• Shampoo
• Lotion
• Spray
• Foam

Side effects of Temovate Cream

Common

• Burning, itching, swelling, or irritation of treated skin
• Dry or cracking skin
• Redness or crusting around hair follicles
• Spider veins
• Stretch marks or thinning skin
• Rash or hives
• Acne
• Temporary hair loss
• Stinging at the application site

Serious

• Worsening of your skin condition
• Redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of treated skin
• Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights
• High blood sugar symptoms such as increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, or fruity breath odor
• Signs the medicine is being absorbed through the skin, such as weight gain in the face and shoulders, slow wound healing, skin discoloration, thinning skin, increased body hair, tiredness, mood changes, menstrual changes, or sexual changes
• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine is very strong and should only be used for a short time, usually up to two weeks, or up to four weeks for scalp psoriasis, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Do not use this medicine on your face, underarms, or groin area.
• Do not use this medicine on skin that is broken, infected, or has open wounds.
• This medicine is not approved for anyone younger than 12 years old, and children can absorb more of the medicine through their skin, making side effects more likely.
• Using large amounts of this medicine for a long time can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat, increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.
• Do not cover treated skin with a bandage or wrap unless your doctor tells you to, since this can increase the amount of medicine absorbed and cause harmful effects.
• For external skin use only — do not use in the eyes, mouth, or vagina.
• Avoid the face, groin, and underarms (axillae) unless specifically prescribed.
• Do not use for rosacea or perioral dermatitis.
• Avoid applying to large areas of skin because systemic absorption can increase.
• Do not use occlusive dressings or tightly cover treated areas unless directed by a doctor.
• Treatment is generally limited to 2 consecutive weeks and should not exceed 50 g per week for standard clobetasol cream.
• Prolonged or excessive use can cause skin thinning, stretch marks, folliculitis, acne-like eruptions, skin-color changes, and secondary infections.
• Systemic absorption can cause HPA-axis suppression, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's syndrome, increased blood glucose, or glucose in the urine.
• It is not known whether Temovate will harm an unborn baby. This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if your doctor decides it is clearly needed. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about the risks. If you apply it to your chest, avoid areas that may touch the baby's mouth.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before using this medicine.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Keep from freezing
• Temovate Cream should not be refrigerated
• Clobetasol foam is flammable; do not use near high heat or open flame, and do not smoke until the foam has completely dried on your skin

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if your skin condition worsens, or if you notice redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of treated skin.
• Call your doctor if you have vision changes such as blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights.
• Call your doctor if you notice signs of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, or fruity breath odor.
• Seek emergency medical attention or contact a poison control center right away if someone has accidentally swallowed this medicine.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Alternatives

• Lidex (fluocinonide) 0.05% Cream
• Fluticasone propionate 0.05% Cream
• Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% Cream