Clobetasol Propionate (emollient)

CLOBETASOL PROPIONATE (EMOLLIENT)- clobetasol propionate cream
E. Fougera & Co. a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) is a super-high potency corticosteroid indicated for:

1.1 Corticosteroid-Responsive Dermatoses

Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in patients 12 years of age and older. Treatment should be limited to 2 consecutive weeks, and the total dosage should not exceed 50 grams per week.

1.2 Moderate to Severe Plaque-Type Psoriasis

Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) is indicated for the topical treatment of moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis. Treatment beyond 4 consecutive weeks is not recommended. Use in pediatric patients under 16 years of age is not recommended.

1.3 Limitations of Use

Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) should not be used in the treatment of rosacea or perioral dermatitis, and should not be used on the face, groin, or axillae.

The total dosage should not exceed 50 grams per week.

Avoid use if skin atrophy is present at the treatment site.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Apply a thin layer of Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) to the affected skin areas twice daily and rub in gently and completely. Wash hands after each application.

Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) is a super-high potency topical corticosteroid; therefore, treatment should be limited to 2 consecutive weeks, and amounts greater than 50 grams per week should not be used.

In moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis, Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) applied to 5% to 10% of body surface area can be used for up to 4 weeks. The total dosage should not exceed 50 grams per week. When dosing for more than 2 weeks, any additional benefits of extending treatment should be weighed against the risk of HPA suppression. Therapy should be discontinued when control has been achieved. If no improvement is seen within 2 weeks, reassessment of diagnosis may be necessary. Treatment beyond 4 consecutive weeks is not recommended.

Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) should not be used with occlusive dressings.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Cream, 0.05%. Each gram of Clobetasol propionate cream USP, 0.05% (emollient) contains 0.5 mg of clobetasol propionate in a white to off-white cream base.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

None

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Effects on the Endocrine System

Clobetasol propionate is a highly potent topical corticosteroid that has been shown to suppress the HPA axis at doses as low as 2 grams per day.

Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible HPA axis suppression with the potential for clinical glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. This may occur during treatment or upon withdrawal of the topical corticosteroid.

Because of the potential for systemic absorption, use of topical corticosteroids may require that patients be periodically evaluated for HPA axis suppression. In a study including 12 subjects ages 18 years and older with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis involving at least 30% body surface area (BSA), adrenal suppression was identified in 3 out of 12 subjects (25%) following 1 week of treatment.

Factors that predispose a patient using a topical corticosteroid to HPA axis suppression include the use of more potent steroids, use over large surface areas, use over prolonged periods, use under occlusion, use on an altered skin barrier, and use in patients with liver failure.

An ACTH stimulation test may be helpful in evaluating patients for HPA axis suppression. If HPA axis suppression is documented, an attempt should be made to gradually withdraw the drug, to reduce the frequency of application, or to substitute a less potent steroid. Manifestations of adrenal insufficiency may require supplemental systemic corticosteroids. Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt and complete upon discontinuation of topical corticosteroids.

Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and unmasking of latent diabetes mellitus can also result from systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids.

Use of more than one corticosteroid-containing product at the same time may increase the total systemic corticosteroid exposure.

Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity from use of topical corticosteroids. [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ]

5.2 Local Adverse Reactions with Topical Corticosteroids

Local adverse reactions may be more likely to occur with occlusive use, prolonged use or use of higher potency corticosteroids. Reactions may include atrophy, striae, telangiectasias, burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, hypertrichosis, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, and miliaria. Some local adverse reactions may be irreversible. Clobetasol propionate is not recommended in patients with acne vulgaris, rosacea or perioral dermatitis.

5.3 Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis with corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by observing a failure to heal rather than noting a clinical exacerbation. Clinical diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis can be confirmed with patch testing. If irritation develops, Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

5.4 Concomitant Skin Infections

If concomitant skin infections are present or develop, an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial agent should be used. If a favorable response does not occur promptly, use of Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

In controlled trials with clobetasol propionate formulations, the following adverse reactions have been reported: burning/stinging, pruritis, irritation, erythema, folliculitis, cracking and fissuring of the skin, numbness of the fingers, tenderness in the elbow, skin atrophy, and telangiectasia. The incidence of local adverse reactions reported in the trials with Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) was less than 2% of patients treated with the exception of burning/stinging which occurred in 5% of treated patients.

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

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 by this route; 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 0.33 and 0.01 times, respectively, the human topical dose of Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient). 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 0.001 and 0.003 times, respectively, the human topical dose of Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient). Abnormalities seen included cleft palate, cranioschisis, and other skeletal abnormalities.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Clobetasol propionate cream, 0.05% (emollient) is administered to a nursing woman.