What is Clobetasol ointment? – Green positive pharmacy magazine

In contemporary society and due to our lifestyle, the type of food we consume, which are often processed by industrial methods and are full of chemical preservatives, stressful urban environment, types of pollution and many other factors, skin problems, especially types of allergies, eczema, etc. They have become relatively widespread. In order to solve such skin problems, there are many drugs, one of the most important of which is Clobetasol. Due to the wide range of usage of this drug and its great importance, this article aims to provide information about it as follows.

Pharmaceutical forms of clobetasol

Commonly known as clobetasol or clobetasol propionate, this drug has a brand name depending on the dosage form in which it is manufactured. The following tables provide information about the different types and forms of clobetasol, the brand names of each of them, the form of consumption and finally the production dose of each by age group (adults and children).

For adults:

for children:

Uses of clobetasol cream

This medicine is used to treat various skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, allergies and skin rashes. Clobetasol can reduce the swelling, itching and redness caused by the above diseases. This drug is a very strong (extra high potency) corticosteroid.

Pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of Clobetasol

We explain this topic separately:

pharmacology

Clobetazol is a topical synthetic corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictor properties. Clobetasol exerts its effect by binding to cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors and, subsequently, activates gene expression that occurs through the glucocorticoid receptor. This process leads to the synthesis of specific anti-inflammatory proteins and at the same time inhibits the synthesis of some inflammatory mediators. Specifically, clobetasol induces phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, thereby controlling the release of the inflammatory precursor arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2.

Mechanism of action

Corticosteroids reduce inflammation by stabilizing leukocyte lysosomal membranes and prevent the release of destructive acid hydrolases from leukocytes. They inhibit the accumulation of macrophages in inflamed areas. They reduce the adhesion of leukocytes to the capillary endothelium. They reduce the permeability of the capillary wall and the formation of edema and reduce the complement components. They act in opposition to the activity of histamine and lead to the release of kinin from molecular substrates and ultimately reduce the proliferation of fibroblasts, collagen deposition, and subsequently prevent the formation of scar tissue. This drug is generally absorbed through the skin, broken down in the liver and finally excreted through urine and feces.

Dosage of Clobetasol ointment

The dosage for adults and children is as follows.

In adults:

In relation to corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, to relieve the inflammatory manifestations and itching of dermatoses, the dosage will be as follows:

Cream/lotion (0.05%): Apply a thin layer on the affected areas every 12 hours and massage gently and thoroughly. Note that the amount of consumption should not exceed 50 grams per week.

In relation to moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, the dosage will be as follows:

Softening cream/lotion (0.05%): When the damaged area of ​​the skin is less than 10% of the total body surface, use the cream for 2 weeks and the lotion for 4 weeks on the affected area. It should be noted that the consumption amount should not exceed 50 grams per week (in the case of cream) or 50 ml per week (in the case of lotion).

Cream (0.025%): apply a thin layer twice a day on the affected skin areas for 2 consecutive weeks.

In children:

The safety and effectiveness of this medicine in children under 12 years old has not yet been proven, but for children over 12 years old, a thin layer should be gently rubbed on the desired area and make sure that the amount consumed does not exceed 50 grams per week.

Time to use clobetasol ointment

Considering that clobetazol is not an oral medicine, as a result, there is no specific rule regarding the time of clobetazol consumption and it can be used at any time during the day. The only thing that should be taken into account is the interval between its use, which is usually prescribed twice a day and every 12 hours. Based on this, it seems that morning and night are the most suitable time to use this medicine. Because in these times, people are at home and can more easily use it in different areas of their body.

Precautions

• Before using clobetasol, be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or other corticosteroids (such as hydrocortisone, prednisone), or any other medications. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. In relation to medical records such as poor blood circulation, immune system problems and some skin diseases such as rosacea and dermatitis around the mouth, you should also be careful and consult a doctor.
• Although rare, using corticosteroid medications for long periods of time or on large areas of the skin can make it harder for your body to respond to physical stress. However, before undergoing surgery (medical or dental) or emergency treatment, be sure to inform your doctor that you are using this medicine or have used it in the past few months.
• In the treatment with cream (0.025%), make sure that the duration of using this drug does not exceed 2 consecutive weeks and the total dose does not exceed 50 grams per week because this drug may suppress the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In the treatment with Clobex lotion (0.05%), it should also be noted that a cape or dressing should not be used.
• Finally, although it is unlikely, if this drug is used for a long time, it may temporarily slow down the growth of children. Therefore, if the mother uses it during breastfeeding or the child herself, be sure to regularly check the height growth of your child.

Contraindications to clobetasol ointment

In general, note that Clobetasol should not be used on the face, armpits, or groin. This medicine should not be used if there is atrophy in the treatment area. Also, clobetasol should not be used in the treatment of rosacea or dermatitis around the mouth. In addition to the general cases mentioned above, specifically avoid taking clobetasol in the following conditions:

• In cases where you have an allergic reaction to clobetasol or any other drug or to aceostearyl alcohol or chlorocresol (components of clobetasol cream).
• In cases where you have a skin infection, broken skin, cut or itchy skin in the treated area.
• In cases where you have acne or rosacea.
• In cases where the skin problem is on your face, clobetasol can only be used with the doctor’s discretion and for a maximum of 5 days.

Clobetasol side effects

Clobetazol does not have many side effects if it is used accurately and in the place and in the amount prescribed by the doctor, but otherwise it can be accompanied by serious side effects. In general, side effects such as burning, itching, dryness or redness may appear in the first use. This problem usually disappears after a few days as the body adapts to it. But if the side effects do not disappear after a few days, then you should stop using it and consult a doctor.

Clobetazol may cause other side effects, the most important of which are; Stretch marks, thinning or discoloration of the skin, acne, excessive hair growth in the treated area, and small red bumps on the skin (folliculitis). In addition, the use of Clobetasol can lead to worsening of skin infections.

Regarding the absorption of this drug from the skin into the bloodstream, the probability is very low, but if the drug is used for a long time or on large areas of the skin, or if it is used in children, this probability increases and can lead to side effects such as severe fatigue, weight loss. , headache, foot or ankle swelling, excessive thirst, excessive urination, or vision problems.

Drug interactions of clobetasol cream

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk of serious side effects. Clobetazol has no known severe, serious, moderate or mild interactions with other drugs. Considering that all possible interactions or adverse effects of this drug have not been studied, it is better to share a list of all your medications with your doctor before using clobetasol. In general, try not to use clobetasol with other topical corticosteroids such as betamethasone, hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, cortide, or lotrisone. Using these drugs together may cause serious side effects.

In addition to the above, clobetasol may interfere with 5 diseases, in such cases, you must consult a doctor. These diseases include:

• diabetes
• Diaper rash or dermatitis
• Hyperadrenocorticism
• Infections
• Visual toxicities

Clobetasol use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

We have separated the use of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding:

pregnancy

In general, reliable information about the effect of clobetasol on pregnant women is not available. Available data show that if more than 300 grams of strong or very strong topical corticosteroids are used during pregnancy, it is likely to cause low birth weight in babies. It is recommended that, if necessary, clobetasol should be used in pregnant women in very small skin areas and for a very short time.

breastfeeding

There is no accurate information about the effects of clobetasol in breast milk or the amount of milk production or breastfed babies. Pharmaceutical corticosteroids appear systemically in human milk and can slow the baby’s growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other adverse effects.

However, it is not clear whether local administration of clobetasol can lead to sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable amounts in human milk or not. Therefore, to minimize the possible risk, it is better to use clobetasol in a small area of ​​the skin and for a very short period of time when necessary. It is also recommended that lactating women avoid direct use of clobetasol on the nipple and areola area to avoid direct exposure to the baby.

Clobetasol storage conditions

In the case of ointments, creams and lotions, the best storage conditions for clobetasol cream are between 20-25 degrees Celsius (68-77 degrees Fahrenheit), but if necessary, it can also be stored between 15-30 degrees Celsius (59-86 degrees Fahrenheit). to be This medicine should not be frozen. Due to the less safety of ointments and creams, it is necessary to keep such medicines out of the reach of children. It is also necessary to pay attention that the medicine is not exposed to sunlight or moisture.

Clobetasol compounds

The only effective and active substance in clobetasol is clobetasol propionate. But there are other substances as inactive substances in its medicinal composition, which are: hypromellose, propylene glycol, mineral oil, polyoxyethylene glycol 300 isostearate, carbomer 1342, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

last word

In this article from the Green Positive Online Pharmacy magazine, we explained about clobetazol ointment or cream. Clobetasol is one of the topical steroid drugs that is mainly used to control and relieve swelling, redness, itching or rashes caused by skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. In order to be able to use the medicine in different parts of the body, this medicine is produced in different forms such as ointment, cream, lotion, spray, shampoo, foam, solution and gel.

Due to the very high effectiveness of clobetasol, the amount and place of its use should be done carefully and under the supervision of a doctor, and in cases of pregnancy and breastfeeding, try to limit and shorten the amount and duration of its use as much as possible. This drug is not usually recommended for children under 12 years of age.

Source: site Medscape