Clobetasol E, Clobetasol

Written by Jennifer Mitri Williamson, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on June 27, 2023

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved clobetasol to treat:

• swelling and itching of the skin in adults and some children
• moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis, in adults and some children

These approved uses differ based on the form of clobetasol your doctor prescribes.

This article describes clobetasol’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of clobetasol.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of clobetasol. To find coupons for clobetasol topical emollient cream, see this article.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about clobetasol.

Can clobetasol be prescribed together with salicylic acid or ketoconazole?

Yes, clobetasol may be used with certain other medications, such as salicylic acid or ketoconazole (Ketozole). Your doctor may recommend using clobetasol along with another medication to treat your condition.

If your doctor prescribes a combination of medications for your condition, they will discuss how to use them. If you have questions or concerns about your treatment plan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is it safe to apply clobetasol on my face?

No, you should avoid using clobetasol on your face. This is because the drug can cause thinning of your skin and other skin side effects. Your face may be more sensitive and at a higher risk of developing these side effects.

If you need to treat itching, swelling of the skin, or plaque psoriasis on your face, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment option for your condition.

Can clobetasol be used for acne?

Clobetasol isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acne. This medication is only approved to treat swelling and itching of the skin or plaque psoriasis. In fact, it’s possible for clobetasol to cause skin reactions that may look like acne.

If you’re looking for a treatment for acne, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment option for you.

How does clobetasol work? And how long does it take to start working?

Clobetasol is a corticosteroid medication, which works by reducing inflammation (swelling and damage) of the skin. As a result, this medication can ease the symptoms of the conditions it’s FDA-approved to treat.

Clobetasol begins working as soon as you use it. It may take a few days before you notice that symptoms of your condition are decreasing.

If you’d like to know more about how clobetasol works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as clobetasol for certain conditions. Approved uses for clobetasol are described below. These uses differ based on the form of clobetasol prescribed.

Use for certain skin conditions

Doctors may prescribe clobetasol topical solution, topical lotion, topical gel, topical cream, topical ointment, or topical emollient cream for treating swelling and itching of the skin or scalp. For this purpose, most of these forms of clobetasol may be prescribed for adults and children ages 12 years and older. The lotion is approved for use only in adults.

For treating plaque psoriasis, doctors may prescribe clobetasol topical foam, topical emollient cream, or topical spray. These forms of clobetasol may be used by adults for this purpose. In addition, the foam may be prescribed to children ages 12 years and older. The emollient cream may be prescribed to children ages 16 years and older. Which form your doctor prescribes will depend on the severity of your plaque psoriasis.

Doctors may prescribe clobetasol shampoo or topical foam to treat moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. For this purpose, these forms may be prescribed to adults. The topical foam may also be used by children 12 years and older.

For all uses, clobetasol is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With plaque psoriasis, you may develop raised, itchy patches, called plaques, on your skin. With scalp psoriasis, these plaques develop on your scalp.

Doctors may not prescribe clobetasol in certain situations, such as for use on the face, armpits, or groin. In addition, your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid applying clobetasol on your eyes or lips. Your doctor may also advise avoiding applying clobetasol on areas of your skin affected by rosacea or perioral dermatitis.

Clobetasol may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of clobetasol and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about clobetasol’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for clobetasol listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of clobetasol are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of clobetasol you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about clobetasol’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for clobetasol listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Clobetasol topical cream’s mild side effects include:

• burning or stinging
• itching
• thinning of the skin
• cracking of the skin
• mild allergic reaction*

Clobetasol topical shampoo’s mild side effects include:

• burning or stinging
• itching
• swelling
• folliculitis (swelling of your hair follicles)
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clobetasol” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of clobetasol are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of clobetasol you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about clobetasol’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for clobetasol listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, clobetasol’s serious side effects include:

• Cushing syndrome, a condition caused by a high level of the hormone cortisol
• adrenal insufficiency, a condition caused by the adrenal glands not making enough of certain hormones
• high blood sugar level, which can lead to diabetes
• skin side effects
• eye problems, such as a cataract or glaucoma
• severe allergic reaction†

† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clobetasol” section.

Below you’ll find information about clobetasol’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of clobetasol

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use clobetasol, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for clobetasol” section just below.

Warnings for clobetasol

Some people should not use clobetasol, and others should use it cautiously.

Clobetasol could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether clobetasol is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of clobetasol you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for clobetasol, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Clobetasol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to clobetasol or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe clobetasol. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to clobetasol, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of clobetasol

You should not use more clobetasol than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much clobetasol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and clobetasol

Information about clobetasol and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Clobetasol and pregnancy

It’s not known whether clobetasol should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Clobetasol and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether clobetasol should be used while breastfeeding. This medication may pass into breast milk, but it’s not known what effects it may cause. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

This article describes clobetasol’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about clobetasol or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at a higher risk of side effects from clobetasol if I’m using other medications with it?
• What other treatment options are available if I’m unable to afford clobetasol?
• What medications should I avoid while using clobetasol?

• Clobetasol propionate cream (emollient), for topical use. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e07ae83c-1b62-9425-e053-2a95a90aab1e/spl-doc
• Clobetasol propionate foam, for topical use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0d5ca826-d200-42d8-b9c7-d05ecabb6ab2/spl-doc
• Clobetasol propionate gel, 0.05%; clobetasol propionate cream USP, 0.05%; clobetasol propionate ointment USP, 0.05%. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4a761afb-a48a-4a5a-8700-ad93601a260f/spl-doc
• Clobetasol propionate lotion, for topical use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/31c443c8-3cb8-4250-93f3-4ae2b4659f0b/spl-doc
• Clobetasol propionate shampoo, for topical use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/91e7bf57-d236-4b9b-8241-e71e5e93617a/spl-doc
• Clobetasol propionate spray, for topical use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a83d212b-a970-4ee7-8431-fead6b2e7f9d/spl-doc
• Clobetasol propionate topical solution, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c26e6e8f-9670-48c5-917b-e73e5589579a/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.