CLOBETASONE BUTYRATE 0.05%
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
The moderately potent topical corticosteroid, clobetasone butyrate 0.05% cream, is not specifically indicated for treatment of immunologic (ie. IgE-mediated) urticarial syndromes and is often not included in treatment algorithms for most cases of mild urticaria. However, for treatment of other forms of mild urticaria, including allergic contact dermatitis, clobetasone 0.05% is considered second-line treatment, behind hydrocortisone 0.5%.1 A systematic review concluded that there is good quality evidence that moderately potent corticosteroids are effective in the treatment of allergic contact dermatitis.2 In patients over 12 years of age, clobetasone butyrate 0.05% can be applied twice daily as needed for up to 7 days to reduce pruritus, swelling and erythema associated with allergic contact dermatitis and other non-immunologic cases of mild urticaria.
Primary literature is lacking for the use of clobetasone in treatment of insect bites and stings. Treatment guidelines indicate that while topical corticosteroids are recommended to reduce pruritus, swelling and erythema associated with bites and stings, clobetasone butyrate 0.05% is not indicated and hydrocortisone 0.5% should be used preferentially.3
References
1. Knowles S. Chapter 65. Drug-induced skin reactions. In: Repchinsky C, Hutsul J, Jovaisas B, Lewis G, Perrier H, Riachi M, Ross A, editors. Patient Self-Care, 2e. Ottawa, ON. Canadian Pharmacists Association. 2010: 629-637.
2. Peroni A, Colato C, Schena D, Girolomoni G. Urticarial lesions: if not urticaria, what else? The differential diagnosis of urticaria. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(4):541-555.
3. Kleiman N. Chapter 72. Insect bites and stings. In: Repchinsky C, Hutsul J, Jovaisas B, Lewis G, Perrier H, Riachi M, Ross A, editors. Patient Self-Care, 2e. Ottawa, ON. Canadian Pharmacists Association. 2010: 691-702.
The moderately potent topical corticosteroid, clobetasone butyrate 0.05% cream, is not specifically indicated for treatment of immunologic (ie. IgE-mediated) urticarial syndromes and is often not included in treatment algorithms for most cases of mild urticaria. However, for treatment of other forms of mild urticaria, including allergic contact dermatitis, clobetasone 0.05% is considered second-line treatment, behind hydrocortisone 0.5%.1 A systematic review concluded that there is good quality evidence that moderately potent corticosteroids are effective in the treatment of allergic contact dermatitis.2 In patients over 12 years of age, clobetasone butyrate 0.05% can be applied twice daily as needed for up to 7 days to reduce pruritus, swelling and erythema associated with allergic contact dermatitis and other non-immunologic cases of mild urticaria.
Primary literature is lacking for the use of clobetasone in treatment of insect bites and stings. Treatment guidelines indicate that while topical corticosteroids are recommended to reduce pruritus, swelling and erythema associated with bites and stings, clobetasone butyrate 0.05% is not indicated and hydrocortisone 0.5% should be used preferentially.3
References
1. Knowles S. Chapter 65. Drug-induced skin reactions. In: Repchinsky C, Hutsul J, Jovaisas B, Lewis G, Perrier H, Riachi M, Ross A, editors. Patient Self-Care, 2e. Ottawa, ON. Canadian Pharmacists Association. 2010: 629-637.
2. Peroni A, Colato C, Schena D, Girolomoni G. Urticarial lesions: if not urticaria, what else? The differential diagnosis of urticaria. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(4):541-555.
3. Kleiman N. Chapter 72. Insect bites and stings. In: Repchinsky C, Hutsul J, Jovaisas B, Lewis G, Perrier H, Riachi M, Ross A, editors. Patient Self-Care, 2e. Ottawa, ON. Canadian Pharmacists Association. 2010: 691-702.