Clobetasol (clobetasol propionate)
Effectiveness:

(4.22)

Based on 64 studies

Side Effects:
Medium

Image for illustration purposes only. Actual medication may appear different.

Topical
Daily
Available by Prescription
As Low as $

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Highlights

  • Shows significant improvement in 2-4 weeks
  • 96% of patients tolerate treatment well
  • 70% of patients stay relapse-free with maintenance therapy
  • Mild effects in about 4% of patients
  • Available in multiple forms (cream, lotion, ointment)

What are others saying?

He prescribed a topical steroid cream (Clobetasol propionate) and a disinfectant antifungal antibacterial bath (potassium permanganate) to cover both scenarios and I used them for a week (2x per day for steroid) — it worked miraculously well (Pic 2). [...] I accidentally skipped a day, then went to 1x a day, and that's when my healed smooth hand started to develop little bumps.

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After using it daily, the patch did disappear and and a redness colour remained. If I'm honest I'd pick the discolouration over the actual eczema any day. [...] It has now been a week since I stopped and my eczema has appeared again.

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2 weeks into clobetasol and it didnt work. It may have worked to smoothed out the skin, but it is still inflamed as hell. This has never happened to me before, my eczema always responed well to clobetasol.

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We collect reviews of treatments from various sources including social media and are not always able to verify whether these have been written by actual patients.


How well does Clobetasol work?
Clobetasol is above average for atopic dermatitis "Steroids" treatments.
What is the evidence behind Clobetasol?
Clobetasol propionate is a highly effective treatment for eczema, with studies showing significant improvement in symptoms like redness, itching, and inflammation within 2-4 weeks of treatment
What does the research say?
Study Summary

Clobetasol propionate cream 0.05% was tested against a vehicle (cream without active ingredient) in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The study lasted 4 weeks with twice daily application.

Clobetasol propionate emollient 0.05% in the treatment of atopic dermatitis
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 81
Results

Study Summary

Clobetasol cream was more effective than fluocinonide cream in treating eczema when applied three times daily for 2 weeks. Clobetasol showed faster healing and fewer side effects (4%) compared to fluocinonide (12%).

Clobetasol propionate versus fluocinonide creams in psoriasis and eczema
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 113
Severity: not available
Age: adolescent and adult
Results
Clobetasol showed faster healing and maintained efficacy, while fluocinonide's healing rate slowed after first week

What are others saying?
The medication can be safely used with minimal side effects when used as directed. Side effects, when they occur, are generally mild and affect about 4% of patients
What does the research say?
Study Summary

Clobetasol cream was more effective than fluocinonide cream in treating eczema when applied three times daily for 2 weeks. Clobetasol showed faster healing and fewer side effects (4%) compared to fluocinonide (12%).

Clobetasol propionate versus fluocinonide creams in psoriasis and eczema
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 113
Severity: not available
Age: adolescent and adult
Results
Clobetasol showed faster healing and maintained efficacy, while fluocinonide's healing rate slowed after first week

Study Summary

Clobetasol propionate, a very strong topical steroid, was more effective than flupredniden acetate (medium strength steroid) in preventing hand eczema from coming back. When using clobetasol twice weekly, 70% of patients remained free from eczema flares compared to 30% with flupredniden.

Intermittent maintenance therapy in chronic hand eczema with clobetasol propionate and flupredniden acetate
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 55
Results
Clobetasol was more effective at preventing relapses than flupredniden

What are others saying?
Using clobetasol propionate twice weekly as maintenance therapy can help prevent relapses in chronic eczema, with studies showing it kept 70% of patients free from relapses during the observation period
What does the research say?
Study Summary

Clobetasol propionate, a very strong topical steroid, was more effective than flupredniden acetate (medium strength steroid) in preventing hand eczema from coming back. When using clobetasol twice weekly, 70% of patients remained free from eczema flares compared to 30% with flupredniden.

Intermittent maintenance therapy in chronic hand eczema with clobetasol propionate and flupredniden acetate
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 55
Results
Clobetasol was more effective at preventing relapses than flupredniden

What are others saying?
The medication comes in different forms (cream, lotion, ointment) with similar effectiveness, though the lotion form may provide better long-term results after stopping treatment
What does the research say?
What are others saying?
Clobetasol propionate is highly effective at treating eczema, with success rates of over 90% in multiple studies. It typically starts working within a few days and can clear symptoms within 2-4 weeks of treatment.
What does the research say?
Study Summary

Clobetasol propionate emollient cream 0.05% was tested against a placebo cream in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The study lasted 4 weeks with twice daily application.

Clobetasol propionate emollient 0.05% in the treatment of atopic dermatitis
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 81
Severity: moderate to severe
Age: ≥12 years
Results
not available

What are others saying?
When used twice weekly for maintenance therapy, clobetasol can help prevent eczema from coming back. In one study, 70% of patients remained free from relapses using this approach.
What does the research say?
Study Summary

Clobetasol propionate (a very strong steroid) was more effective than flupredniden acetate (a medium-strength steroid) in preventing hand eczema from coming back. When using clobetasol twice weekly, 70% of patients remained free from eczema flares compared to 30% with flupredniden.

Intermittent maintenance therapy in chronic hand eczema with clobetasol propionate and flupredniden acetate
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 55
Results
Clobetasol was more effective at preventing relapses when used twice weekly

What are others saying?
While generally safe for short-term use, side effects can occur in about 4% of patients. These are usually mild but can include skin thinning and temporary changes in cortisol levels. Regular monitoring by a doctor is recommended for long-term use.
What does the research say?
Study Summary

Clobetasol cream was more effective than fluocinonide cream in treating eczema when applied three times daily for 2 weeks. Clobetasol showed faster healing and fewer side effects (4%) compared to fluocinonide (12%).

Clobetasol propionate versus fluocinonide creams in psoriasis and eczema
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 113
Severity: not available
Age: adolescent and adult
Results
Clobetasol showed faster healing and maintained efficacy, while fluocinonide's healing rate slowed after first week

Study Summary

Clobetasol propionate emollient cream 0.05% was tested against a placebo cream in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The study lasted 4 weeks with twice daily application.

Clobetasol propionate emollient 0.05% in the treatment of atopic dermatitis
Study Type
Clinical Trial
Studied Population
Total Patients: 81
Severity: moderate to severe
Age: ≥12 years
Results
not available

What are others saying?
Different formulations (cream, lotion, emollient) appear to be similarly effective, though some studies suggest the lotion form may provide better long-term results than the cream version.
What does the research say?
What are others saying?

Is Clobetasol Right For Me?

Clobetasol propionate is a super-high potency topical corticosteroid (steroid) cream that is applied directly to the skin.
Clobetasol might be right for you if:
  • You are 12 years or older

  • You have inflammation or itching from a skin condition that responds to steroids

  • You need short-term treatment (up to 2 weeks)

  • Your condition requires a very strong steroid

It works by reducing inflammation, redness, and itching in the skin. It's one of the strongest topical steroids available.
Not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Children are at higher risk of side effects because they absorb more of the medication through their skin relative to their body size.
Safe for elderly patients (65 years and older). No special dosage adjustments are needed.
Not recommended unless clearly needed. Studies in animals have shown it can cause birth defects. There aren't enough studies in pregnant women to confirm if it's safe.
Unknown

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