Clobetasol Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Clobetasol may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Clobetasol - for the Consumer

Clobetasol Cream

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clobetasol Cream:

Irritation; stinging.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); burning; itching; redness; skin thinning or discoloration; swelling.

Clobetasol Emollient Foam

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clobetasol Emollient Foam:

Burning or mild skin irritation.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; burning, cracking, irritation, peeling, or swelling not present before you began using Clobetasol Emollient Foam; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; muscle weakness; numbness of the fingers; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, confusion; flushing; increased hunger, thirst, or urination; rapid breathing; unusual drowsiness); thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin; unusual weight gain, especially in the face.

Clobetasol Foam

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clobetasol Foam:

Dryness, burning, or mild skin irritation.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; burning, cracking, irritation, peeling, or swelling not present before you began using Clobetasol Foam; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; muscle weakness; numbness of the fingers; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, confusion; flushing; increased hunger, thirst, or urination; rapid breathing; unusual drowsiness); thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin; unusual weight gain, especially in the face.

Clobetasol Gel

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clobetasol Gel:

Dryness; itching; mild burning.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; burning, cracking, irritation, or peeling not present before you began using Clobetasol Gel; dark red blotches on the skin; excessive hair growth; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; muscle weakness; numbness of fingers; thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin; unusual weight gain, especially in the face.

Clobetasol Lotion

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clobetasol Lotion:

Dryness; itching; mild burning or stinging.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; burning, cracking, irritation, or peeling not present before you began using Clobetasol Lotion; dark red blotches on the skin; excessive hair growth; general feeling of being unwell; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; muscle weakness; numbness of fingers; thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin; unusual weight gain, especially in the face.

Clobetasol Shampoo

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clobetasol Shampoo:

Acne; blisters on the scalp; burning/stinging sensation; dry skin; itching; swelling of the follicles; tingling.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dizziness; increased thirst or urination; nausea; ongoing headache; unusual weakness or weight loss; vision problems; vomiting.

Clobetasol Solution

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clobetasol Solution:

Dryness; itching; mild burning or stinging.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; burning, cracking, irritation, or peeling not present before you began using Clobetasol Solution; excessive hair growth; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; muscle weakness; numbness of fingers; thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin; unusual weight gain, especially in the face.

Clobetasol Spray

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Clobetasol Spray:

Dryness; itching; mild burning or stinging.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; burning, cracking, irritation, or peeling not present before you began using Clobetasol Spray; dark red blotches on the skin; excessive hair growth; general feeling of being unwell; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; muscle weakness; numbness of fingers; persistent sore throat, cough, or congestion; thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin; unusual weight gain, especially in the face.

Clobetasol Side Effects - for the Professional

Clobetasol

In controlled clinical trials, the most frequent adverse events reported for Clobetasol propionate ointment were burning sensation, irritation, and itching in 0.5% of treated patients. Less frequent adverse reactions were stinging, cracking, erythema, folliculitis, numbness of fingers, skin atrophy, and telangiectasia.

Cushing's syndrome has been reported in infants and adults as a result of prolonged use of topical Clobetasol propionate formulations.

The following additional local adverse reactions have been reported with topical corticosteroids, and they may occur more frequently with the use of occlusive dressings and higher potency corticosteroids. These reactions are listed in an approximately decreasing order of occurrence: dryness, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, irritation, striae, and miliaria.

Side Effects by Body System

Local

Local side effects have commonly included burning, itching, dryness, or irritation, especially if applied to denuded skin. Long-term use of topical corticosteroids has resulted in skin atrophy and thinning, and the development of striae, telangiectasias, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and easy bruising and bleeding. Allergic contact dermatitis has been occasionally reported.

Skin atrophy may become evident within one to two months of use. Atrophy is due to the inhibitory effect of corticosteroids on collagen formulation. Skin on the face, axilla, and groin appears to be most susceptible to the adverse long-term effects of topical clobetasol. Use of high potency topical corticosteroids on these areas should be minimized or avoided.

Topical corticosteroid use may impair the local immune response, rendering skin more susceptible to infection. Folliculitis is occasionally reported.

Perioral dermatitis or rosacea-like dermatitis has occurred in patients with seborrheic skin types who were treated with potent topical corticosteroids. This condition may flare temporarily upon discontinuation of topical steroids, prompting patients to continue their use. If topical corticosteroids are discontinued, this flare and the initial dermatitis generally resolves over a few weeks.

Worsening of psoriasis has occurred in a few patients.

Endocrine

Endocrinologic side effects have included suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Withdrawal of therapy has resulted in the development of cushingoid features and symptoms of adrenal suppression. This was more likely when higher potency topical corticosteroids were used over extensive areas and when occlusive dressings were used. In addition, the gel and emollient cream formulation of clobetasol provided better penetration, and thus, higher risk of adrenal suppression.

Adrenal suppression has been reported in patients with psoriasis using doses of less than 50 grams per week, although this dosage is generally considered to be safe. Adrenal suppression has been reported in at least one patient receiving 7.5 grams per week. Plasma cortisol concentrations generally return to normal within one to two weeks following discontinuation of the drug. In a few cases adrenal failure persisted up to four months.

If clobetasol is to be used for an extended period of time, adrenal function should be evaluated periodically. Supplemental systemic steroids may be necessary during times of stress.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have rarely included glaucoma in patients using clobetasol on the face for long periods of time. Intraocular pressure did not always return to normal following discontinuation of the drug.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included rare reports of osteoporosis with long term use. Vertebral fractures and avascular necrosis of the hips have been documented.

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