Clobetasol
/api/v1/drug/clobetasolMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action classes: Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists; Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- Clobetasol propionate ointment USP, 0.05% is super-high potency corticosteroid formulations indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. Treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is not recommended, and the total dosage should not exceed 50 g/week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis.
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- Clobetasol propionate ointment is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparations.contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDAApply a thin layer of clobetasol propionate ointment to the affected skin areas twice daily and rub in gently and completely. (See INDICATIONS AND USAGE .) Clobetasol propionate ointment are super- high potency topical corticosteroids; therefore, treatment should be limited to 2 consecutive weeks , and amounts greater than 50 g per week should not be used . As with other highly active corticosteroids, therapy should be discontinued when control has been achieved. If no improvement is seen within 2 weeks, reassessment of diagnosis may be necessary. Clobetasol propionate ointment should not be used with occlusive dressings . Geriatric Use : In studies where geriatric patients (65 years of age or older, see PRECAUTIONS ) have been treated with clobetasol propionate ointment, safety did not differ from that in younger patients; therefore, no dosage adjustment is recommended.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAIn 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. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Encube Ethicals Private Limited at 1-833-285-4151 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDAPregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. Some corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application to laboratory animals. Clobetasol propionate has not been tested for teratogenicity when applied topically; however, it is absorbed percutaneously, and when administered subcutaneously it was a significant teratogen in both the rabbit and mouse. Clobetasol propionate has greater teratogenic potential than steroids that are less potent. Teratogenicity studies in mice using the subcutaneous route resulted in fetotoxicity at the highest dose tested (1 mg/kg) and teratogenicity at all dose levels tested down to 0.03 mg/kg. These doses are approximately 1.4 and 0.04 times, respectively, the human topical dose of clobetasol propionate ointment. Abnormalities seen included cleft palate and skeletal abnormalities. In rabbits, clobetasol propionate was teratogenic at doses of 3 and 10 mcg/kg. These doses are approximately 0.02 and 0.05 times, respectively, the human topical dose of clobetasol propionate ointment. Abnormalities seen included cleft palate, cranioschisis, and other skeletal abnormalities. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of the teratogenic potential of clobetasol propionate in pregnant women.
Overdosage
Sourced from openFDATopically applied clobetasol propionate ointment can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects (see PRECAUTIONS ).
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Feb 16, 1994ANDAANDA074089Cosette
- Feb 23, 1996ANDAANDA074407Fougera Pharms
- Jul 8, 1996ANDAANDA074249Sun Pharma Canada
- Jul 24, 2003NDANDA021535Galderma Labs Lp
- Feb 5, 2004NDANDA021644Galderma Labs
- Oct 27, 2005NDANDA021835Galderma Labs Lp
- Nov 28, 2017NDANDA209483Primus Pharms
- Mar 4, 2024NDANDA218158Harrow Eye
FAERS reports
- 1Drug Ineffective1,18811%
- 2Pruritus8798.0%
- 3Off Label Use6956.3%
- 4Psoriasis6826.2%
- 5Rash6405.8%
- 6Fatigue5324.9%
- 7Headache5204.7%
- 8Product Use In Unapproved Indication5064.6%
- 9Nausea4944.5%
- 10Diarrhoea4744.3%
- 11Arthralgia4394.0%
- 12Pain4183.8%
- 13Skin Exfoliation3743.4%
- 14Dry Skin3643.3%
- 15Erythema3553.2%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Clobetasol as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Efficacy and safety of clobetasol propionate ophthalmic nanoemulsion for treating intraocular inflammation and pain associated with cataract surgery: two phase 3 multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical studies.BMJ open · 2026 · Schwartz A, Wellish K, Zaman F, et al.PMID 42192627DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-101177
- Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% oral gel in the treatment of oral lichen planus: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.BMC oral health · 2026 · Gränse F, Kroona L, Truedsson A, et al.PMID 42163196DOI 10.1186/s12903-026-08599-7
- Synergistic effects of glucocorticoid and N(2)-gas cold atmospheric plasma in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis.International immunopharmacology · 2026 · Ohira C, Komai N, Inaba Y, et al.PMID 42134290DOI 10.1016/j.intimp.2026.116812
- Comparison of the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy and topical clobetasol in the treatment of oral lichen planus using fractal dimension analysis and lesion autofluorescence.Dental and medical problems · 2026 · Jurczyszyn K, Trafalski M, Zborowski J, et al.PMID 41804805DOI 10.17219/dmp/214256
- Clobetasol propionate loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel: formulation strategy and in vitro performance evaluation.Pharmaceutical development and technology · 2026 · Diril M, Karataş E, Karasulu HY, et al.PMID 41556321DOI 10.1080/10837450.2026.2615158
- Topical 10% sulfasalazine ointment attenuates imiquimod-induced psoriasiform inflammation in mice compared with clobetasol.Inflammopharmacology · 2026 · Bari MAMAPMID 41543819DOI 10.1007/s10787-025-02105-1
- Topical therapy and vulvar malignancy risk in lichen sclerosus: a large propensity-matched study.American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · 2026 · Adams PE, Vikram EP, Curman P, et al.PMID 41421748DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2025.12.043
- Pediatric Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Is a One-Size-Fits-All Prolonged Induction Therapeutic Regimen Effective? A Referral Center Experience.Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology · 2026 · Boero V, Caia C, Mastrangelo M, et al.PMID 41386364DOI 10.1016/j.jpag.2025.12.005
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 127 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Clobetasol as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Influence of Dermocorticoids on Bone Mineral Density in Patients With Bullous PemphigoidCompleted · Phase 4 · Interventional · 47 enrolled · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, AmiensNCT03926377updated 2026-06-12
- Comparison of the Efficacy of Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Mouthwash, Photobiomodulation, and Their Combination in Managing of Oral Lesions in Patient With Pemphigus Vulgaris.Recruiting · Interventional · 30 enrolled · Damascus UniversityNCT07641725updated 2026-06-11
- Enhanced Dermatological Care to Reduce Rash and Paronychia in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGRF)-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Treated First-line With Amivantamab Plus LazertinibActive not recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 305 enrolled · Janssen Research & Development, LLCNCT06120140updated 2026-06-05
- Targeted Investigation of Microbiome 2 Treat Atopic Dermatitis (TIME-2)Recruiting · Phase 1 · Interventional · 86 enrolled · National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)NCT06504160updated 2026-06-02
- Photobiomodulation, Photodynamic Therapy, and Clobetasol in the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus.Recruiting · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Medical University of SilesiaNCT07278999updated 2026-04-30
- Topical Steroids Alone or Associated With Methotrexate in Bullous PemphigoidCompleted · Phase 3 · Interventional · 322 enrolled · University Hospital, MontpellierNCT02313870updated 2026-04-24
- Impact of PDT and Topical Corticosteroids on Taste Perception in Patients With OLPCompleted · Interventional · 65 enrolled · Medical University of BialystokNCT07536737updated 2026-04-17
- Treatment Results for Patients With Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA): a Multicenter Prospective StudyRecruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 250 enrolled · Wake Forest University Health SciencesNCT04207931updated 2026-03-31
- The TRIBECA Study (TRIessence/Byqlovi for Easier CAtaract Surgery)Not yet recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Research Insight LLCNCT07276802updated 2026-03-31
- Treatment of Bullous Pemphigoid With Avdoralimab (IPH5401), an Anti-C5aR1 Monoclonal AntibodyCompleted · Phase 2 · Interventional · 15 enrolled · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de NiceNCT04563923updated 2026-03-24
Frequently asked questions
- How does Clobetasol work?
- Mechanism-of-action classes: Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists; Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors.
- What is Clobetasol used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Clobetasol carries indications including: Clobetasol propionate ointment USP, 0.05% is super-high potency corticosteroid formulations indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. Treatment beyond 2 consecutive weeks is not recommended, and the total dosage should not exceed 50 g/week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Clobetasol?
- Clobetasol is classified as Corticosteroids, plain, Corticosteroids, very potent (group IV), Corticosteroid, Corticosteroid Hormone Receptor Agonists, Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists, Lipoxygenase Inhibitors, Antipruritic Activity, Decreased Immunologically Active Molecule Activity, Decreased Protein Synthesis, Vasoconstriction.
- What are the brand names for Clobetasol?
- Clobetasol is marketed under brand names including Byqlovi, Clobex, Clodan, Impeklo, Impoyz, Olux, Temovate, Tovet.
- What are the contraindications for Clobetasol?
- Clobetasol labeling lists contraindications including: Clobetasol propionate ointment is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparations.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
clobetasol is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.