How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Clobetasone butyrate belongs to the group of medications called topical (skin-applied) corticosteroids. It is used to treat small patches of itchy, red, dry, and inflamed skin caused by eczema and dermatitis. It works by reducing the skin's reaction to triggers that cause skin irritation.
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 using this medication, speak to 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 or pharmacist has not suggested it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Each gram of cream contains 0.05% clobetasone butyrate in a cream base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: glycerin, glycerol monostearate, cetostearyl alcohol, beeswax substitute, arlacel 165, dimethicone 20, chlorocresol, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, and purified water.
How should I use this medication?
After washing your hands, apply the cream thinly to the affected area twice a day for up to 7 days. Rub it gently into the skin.
A single streak of cream from the top fingertip crease to the fingertip should be enough to treat a patch of skin equal to the front and back of one hand. Half of this amount would cover a patch of skin the same size as the palm of one hand. Wash your hands after using the cream (unless it is your hands you are treating).
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not use this cream longer than 7 days. If the symptoms do not improve or if they worsen in the first 7 days, contact your doctor. Adults should not use more than 15 g (one tube) of this cream in a 7-day period.
It is important to use this medication exactly as suggested by your doctor or pharmacist. If you miss an application, apply it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next application, skip the missed one and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double amount to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you:
- are allergic to clobetasone butyrate or any ingredients of this medication
- have acne vulgaris, rosacea, or psoriasis
- have itchiness without a rash
- have skin infections caused by viruses, including herpes simplex, vaccinia, and varicella (chickenpox)
- have tuberculous skin lesions
- have untreated infected skin lesions caused by an infection with fungi or bacteria
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is used in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- mild burning, itchiness, or dryness of the skin
- skin rash (usually mild and temporary)
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- acne or oily skin
- skin condition that is not healing
- skin discolouration
- skin infection
- skin rash, itchiness, or burning that does not improve or worsens
- "spider veins" or blood vessels visible through the skin
- stretch marks
- thinning of the skin with easy bruising
- vision changes
- worsening of skin condition
The following side effects may occur if this medication is used improperly or for a long time:
- backache
- blurring or loss of vision (occurs gradually if used near the eye)
- burning and itching of skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
- depression
- filling or rounding of the face
- increased blood pressure
- irregular heartbeat
- irregular menstrual periods
- irritability
- irritation of skin around mouth
- loss of appetite
- muscle cramps, pain, or weakness
- nausea
- rapid weight gain or loss
- reddish-purple lines on arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
- skin colour changes
- stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain
- swelling of feet or lower legs
- tearing of the skin
- unusual bruising
- unusual decrease in sexual desire or ability (in men)
- unusual increase in hair growth, especially on the face
- unusual loss of hair, especially on the scalp
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
- weakness of the arms, legs, or trunk (severe)
- worsening of infections
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Absorption: When this medication is used over extensive areas for prolonged periods and under dressings or diapers that don't breathe, it is possible that enough medication will absorb into the bloodstream to cause unwanted side effects.
Do not apply this cream to the groin area, genitals, under the arms, between the toes, in the eyes, or on the face or scalp unless recommended by your doctor. The skin covering these areas may permit the medication to be absorbed more easily.
Use this medication for no longer than 7 days and stop using it as soon as the problem clears. No more than 15 g of the cream should be used in one week. Do not use this medication under anything that doesn't breathe (e.g., dressings, plasters, gloves, cling film, diapers).
Eyes: As corticosteroids are known to cause glaucoma and cataracts, take care to ensure that this medication does not get in your eyes. If you accidentally get some of this medication in your eye, rinse your eye thoroughly with plenty of water.
Infection: Topical corticosteroids may increase the risk of developing a skin infection. Contact your doctor if you notice any increased redness, swelling, heat, or pain around the area where the medication is applied as these are possible signs of infection.
Do not apply this cream to broken or infected areas. This cream does not cure infections caused by bacteria, yeast, viruses, or fungi. Therefore, this medication will not help skin lesions such as cold sores and will not help herpes skin lesions, chicken pox, acne, rosacea, impetigo, ringworm, athlete's foot, or thrush. Applying this cream to areas around long-term leg ulcers may also increase your risk of infections.
Side effects: Although side effects associated with the use of this medication are uncommon and should not occur with ordinary use, rarely, people have experienced sensitization, irritation, and failure of the medication to work.
Skin conditions: If you have skin conditions associated with reduced circulation (blood flow) such as stasis dermatitis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Also, the safety and effectiveness of using this medication for psoriasis have not been established.
Thinning of skin: The use of topical corticosteroid medications for a long period of time can cause skin to thin or soften or cause stretch marks. Your doctor may recommend you stop using this medication once in a while or to apply to one area of the body at a time. If you notice changes to the skin where you are applying this cream, contact your doctor.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if clobetasone butyrate passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: Do not use this medication for children under 12 years of age unless recommended by a doctor. Children are more likely to have side effects caused by this medication being absorbed through the skin. Do not put dressings, bandages, or diapers that do not breathe on top of this cream.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between clobetasone butyrate and any of the following:
- aldesleukin
- other corticosteroids applied to the skin (e.g., hydrocortisone, betamethasone)
- itraconazole
- nirmatrelvir
- ritonavir
- other topical products that have irritating effects
If you are using any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop using one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are using one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop using one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Spectro-EczemaCare-Medicated-Cream