Clobetasol

Pronunciation: kloh-BAY-tuh-sol proh-PY-oh-nate.

Generic name
clobetasol propionate
Drug class
Super-high-potency topical corticosteroid
Form
Cream, ointment, gel, solution, foam, or shampoo, 0.05% (or 500 microgram/mL for some shampoo/scalp formulations)
Route
Topical (applied to the skin or scalp)
Legal status
Prescription-only

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Clobex / Xobet / DPL-Clobetasol (5) · Full directory

What clobetasol propionate is and how it works

Clobetasol propionate is a prescription-only, super-high-potency topical corticosteroid used for short courses to calm inflamed, itchy skin conditions that have not responded to weaker steroid creams. (1) (2)

Apply clobetasol exactly as your prescriber directs, in a thin layer, only to the areas they specify. Because it is such a potent steroid, it is intended for short, defined courses, not ongoing daily use, and your prescriber reviews your progress regularly.

Mechanism of action: how clobetasol propionate works

Clobetasol propionate is a synthetic, halogenated corticosteroid classified among the most potent topical corticosteroids available, with strong anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive activity via glucocorticoid receptor binding. (1) (2)

What clobetasol propionate is used for

Resistant inflammatory and itchy skin conditions

Used short-term for corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions that have not improved with weaker topical steroids, such as certain forms of eczema/dermatitis, lichen planus, and discoid lupus erythematosus. (1) (2)

Plaque psoriasis (limited body area)

Used for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis affecting a limited body surface area, and for scalp psoriasis using shampoo or scalp-specific formulations. (1) (6)

Before taking clobetasol propionate

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not use clobetasol on untreated skin infections (bacterial, fungal, or viral), rosacea, acne, or perioral dermatitis (a rash around the mouth). (United Kingdom (reflects a caution relevant across markets)) (2)
  • Do not use clobetasol on the face, groin, or underarms, or on broken or already-thinned skin, unless your prescriber has specifically told you to. (all countries) (1) (2)
  • Not used in children under 1 year of age. (United Kingdom) (2)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any current skin infection at the area to be treated.
  • Any history of skin thinning, stretch marks, or previous reactions to steroid creams.
  • If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
  • How large an area of skin needs treatment, since larger areas raise the risk of the medicine being absorbed into the body.
(1) (2)

How to take clobetasol propionate

  • Apply a thin layer to the affected skin as directed, usually once or twice daily, and rub in gently.
  • Use only on the area your prescriber has specified -- avoid the face, groin, underarms, and broken skin unless specifically directed otherwise.
  • Do not use more often, in a larger amount, or for longer than your prescriber recommends -- official labeling limits total use to no more than 50 g per week and typically no more than 2-4 weeks of continuous treatment (as short as 5 days on the face or in children).
  • Do not cover the treated area with airtight dressings unless your prescriber specifically tells you to, as this increases how much is absorbed.
(1) (2)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

If you miss an application, apply it as soon as you remember, then continue your regular schedule -- do not apply extra to make up for a missed application. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Overdose

Applying much more than directed, over a larger area, or for longer than recommended can allow enough clobetasol to be absorbed into the body to cause internal effects. Contact your prescriber promptly if you have used significantly more than directed, or seek emergency medical help for symptoms such as unusual weight gain, rounding of the face, or very high blood sugar symptoms (extreme thirst, frequent urination). (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Burning or stinging where the medicine is applied is the most common side effect.

What to notice: Burning or stinging where the medicine is applied is the most common side effect.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Itching, irritation, or redness at the application site.

What to notice: Itching, irritation, or redness at the application site.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Skin cracking or fissuring, and inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis).

What to notice: Skin cracking or fissuring, and inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

With longer use, thinning of the skin, stretch marks (striae), or changes in skin colour.

What to notice: With longer use, thinning of the skin, stretch marks (striae), or changes in skin colour.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (4)

Serious warnings

Signs the body has absorbed too much steroid (HPA-axis suppression / Cushing's syndrome) — high caution

Symptoms: Unusual weight gain, rounding of the face, easy bruising, or high blood sugar symptoms (increased thirst or urination).

Action: Tell your prescriber promptly. This is a recognised risk of clobetasol, documented in official labeling at doses as low as 2 grams per day, especially with larger treated areas or longer use. (1) (2)

Skin thinning, stretch marks, or other visible skin damage at the treated site — high caution

Symptoms: Thin, fragile, shiny skin; visible blood vessels; stretch marks; or slow-healing skin at the application site.

Action: Tell your prescriber -- these changes can be irreversible with continued use, and your prescriber will decide whether to adjust or stop treatment. (1) (4)

Signs of a new skin infection at the treated site — high caution

Symptoms: Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or worsening pain at the application site.

Action: Tell your prescriber promptly, as a corticosteroid can mask or worsen an underlying infection and specific antibacterial or antifungal treatment may be needed. (1)

Rebound flare after stopping a longer course — high caution

Symptoms: Skin condition suddenly becoming much worse than before treatment after a course ends.

Action: Contact your prescriber -- treatment courses and any reduction in use are planned by your prescriber, who may recommend gradually reducing frequency rather than an abrupt stop after prolonged use, to help avoid this reaction. (2)

Signs of a serious allergic reaction — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. (1)

Interactions

  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitor medicines (such as ritonavir or itraconazole) may increase how much corticosteroid is absorbed into the body from clobetasol applied to the skin. (2)
  • Using other topical or systemic corticosteroids at the same time can add to the total steroid exposure -- tell your prescriber about all steroid creams, inhalers, or tablets you use. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Data on topical clobetasol in pregnancy are limited. It is used in pregnancy only if your prescriber judges the benefit justifies the potential risk, particularly avoiding large areas or prolonged use. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether topical use produces clinically significant levels in breast milk. As a precaution, avoid applying clobetasol to the breast area while breastfeeding, and discuss other areas with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Not recommended in children under 1 year old. In older children, courses are generally kept as short as possible (e.g. limited to around 5 days) and reviewed frequently, since children can absorb proportionally more medicine through the skin. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the sources reviewed, but skin can be thinner in older adults, increasing sensitivity to skin-thinning side effects. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic_impairment

Not specifically addressed in the sources reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Renal_impairment

Not specifically addressed in the sources reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Confirmation the skin condition is corticosteroid-responsive and not an untreated infection
  • Assessment of how much body surface area needs treatment
  • Review of any other steroid medicines already in use

During treatment

  • Regular review of treatment duration -- courses are not intended to be continued indefinitely.
  • Watching for skin thinning, stretch marks, or signs the medicine is being absorbed into the body.
  • Watching for signs of a new skin infection at the treated site.
(1) (2)

Storage

Store between 15-30C (59-86F). Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information and UK emc SmPC; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses and limited-area plaque psoriasis

Dose summary: Thin layer applied twice daily; maximum 50 g/week; maximum 2 consecutive weeks of use (up to 4 weeks for psoriasis covering 5-10% BSA). HPA-axis suppression documented at doses as low as 2 g/day. Avoid face, groin, axillae.

Renal context: Not specifically established in the source reviewed. (1)

United Kingdom

Indication: Resistant inflammatory/pruritic dermatoses, psoriasis (excluding widespread plaque), lichen planus, discoid lupus erythematosus

Dose summary: Apply thinly once or twice daily until improvement, then reduce frequency; maximum 50 g/week; not continued beyond 4 weeks; face application limited to 5 days if used at all; children's courses limited to 5 days if possible, reviewed weekly, no occlusion.

Renal context: Not specifically established in the source reviewed. (2)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Not specifically addressed in the sources reviewed for this dossier.

Overdose note

Excessive or prolonged use, especially over large body surface areas or with occlusion, can lead to systemic corticosteroid absorption and HPA-axis suppression; management involves discontinuing or reducing use under medical supervision and monitoring for adrenal insufficiency or Cushingoid features. (1) (2)

Frequently asked questions

Is clobetasol available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes, it is approved and available in all of these regions, as brand-name products (such as Dermovate, Dermol, or Clobex) and generic clobetasol propionate. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Can I use clobetasol on my face or for as long as I like?

No. Clobetasol is one of the most potent topical steroids available, and official labeling limits it to short courses (commonly 2-4 weeks, or as little as 5 days on the face) and a maximum weekly amount, because prolonged or widespread use raises the risk of skin thinning and the medicine being absorbed into the body. Follow your prescriber's specific instructions on where and how long to use it. (1) (2)

What happens if I stop using clobetasol suddenly after a long course?

Stopping abruptly after prolonged use has been linked to the original skin condition flaring back up. Your prescriber typically manages the end of a course, which may include gradually reducing how often you apply it. (2)

What is the mechanism of action of clobetasol propionate?

Clobetasol propionate is a synthetic, halogenated corticosteroid classified among the most potent topical corticosteroids available, with strong anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive activity via glucocorticoid receptor binding. (1) (2)

What is the generic name of Clobetasol?

The generic name is clobetasol propionate. (1)

What class of drug is clobetasol propionate?

Clobetasol is classed as: Super-high-potency topical corticosteroid. (1)

References

  1. Clobetasol Propionate (Emollient) Cream, 0.05% -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Dermovate Cream -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- GlaxoSmithKline UK · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Clobetasol: list of nationally authorised medicinal products (PSUSA/00000799)European Medicines Agency (EMA) -- Periodic Safety Update Report Single Assessment (PSUSA), nationally authorised medicinal products list · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. pms-CLOBETASOL / TEVA-CLOBETASOL (clobetasol propionate) -- Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. Clobetasol propionate products -- ARTG registrations (Clobex shampoo, Xobet, DPL-Clobetasol cream/ointment) and AusPARTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. DERMOL (clobetasol propionate) Cream/Ointment and Scalp Application -- New Zealand Data Sheet; CLOBEX Shampoo New Zealand Data SheetMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient clobetasol propionate names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Clobetasol Propionate (emollient).5 mg/g · bryant ranch prepack
  • Clodan.5 mg/mL · medimetriks pharmaceuticals
  • Clobetasol Propionate ANDA.5 mg/g · macleods pharmaceuticals limited
  • Tovet (emollient formulation).5 mg/g · medimetriks pharmaceuticals, inc.
  • clobetasol propionate emollient formulation.5 mg/g · padagis israel pharmaceuticals ltd
  • BYQLOVI.5 mg/mL · harrow eye, llc
  • Impoyz.25 mg/g · primus pharmaceuticals, inc.

United Kingdom

  • Dermovate (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 0.05% · GlaxoSmithKline UK

Canada

  • DERMOVATE
  • DERMOVATE SCALP APPLICATION
  • CLOBEX SHAMPOO
  • CLOBEX
  • OLUX-E
  • NOVO-CLOBETASOL CRM
  • MYLAN-CLOBETASOL SCALP APPLICATION
  • PMS-CLOBETASOL SCALP APPLICATION

Australia

  • Clobex / Xobet / DPL-Clobetasol (5)TGA ARTG registered confirmed · 0.05% (creams/ointments); 500 microgram/mL (shampoo) · Galderma Australia Pty Ltd / Arrotex Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • Dermol / Clobex (6)Medsafe approved confirmed · 0.5 mg/g (0.05%); 500 microgram/mL (shampoo) · various NZ-registered suppliers
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Dermovate / Clobex / ClobaDerm (national brands vary) (3)

This page provides general reference information about clobetasol propionate and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. All treatment decisions, including how much to use, where to apply it, and for how long, should be made with your prescriber.

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