WARNINGS
No information provided.
PRECAUTIONS
General
Clobetasol propionate is a highly potent topical corticosteroid that has
been shown to suppress the HPA axis at the lowest doses tested.
Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment. Manifestations of Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria can also be produced in some patients by systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids while on treatment.
Conditions which increase systemic absorption include the application of the
more potent corticosteroids, use over large surface areas, prolonged use, and
the addition of occlusive dressings or use on occluded areas. Therefore, patients
applying a topical steroid to a large surface area or to areas under occlusion
should be evaluated periodically for evidence of HPA axis suppression. If HPA
axis suppression is noted, an attempt should be made to withdraw the drug, to
reduce the frequency of application, or to substitute a less potent steroid.
Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt and complete upon discontinuation
of topical corticosteroids. Infrequently, signs and symptoms of glucocorticosteroid
insufficiency may occur, requiring supplemental systemic corticosteroids. For
information on systemic supplementation, see prescribing information for
those products.
The effect of CLOBEX® (clobetasol propionate) Shampoo, 0.05% on HPA axis
suppression was evaluated in one study in adolescents 12 to 17 years of age.
In this study, 5 of 12 evaluable subjects developed suppression of their HPA
axis following 4 weeks of treatment with CLOBEX® (clobetasol propionate)
Shampoo, 0.05% applied once daily for 15 minutes to a dry scalp before lathering
and rinsing.
Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity from equivalent
doses due to their larger skin surface to body mass ratios. (See PRECAUTIONS
- Pediatric Use).
If irritation develops, CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) should be discontinued and appropriate
therapy instituted. Allergic contact dermatitis with corticosteroids is usually
diagnosed by observing a failure to heal rather than noting a clinical exacerbation,
as with most topical products not containing corticosteroids. Such an observation
should be corroborated with appropriate diagnostic patch testing.
In the presence of dermatological infections, the use of an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial agent should be instituted. If a favorable response does not occur promptly, use of CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled.
Although CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) is intended for the topical treatment of moderate
to severe scalp psoriasis, it should be noted that certain areas of the body,
such as the face, groin, and axillae, are more prone to atrophic changes than
other areas of the body following treatment with corticosteroids. CLOBEX®
Shampoo should not be used on the face, groin or axillae. Avoid any contact
of the drug product with the eyes and lips. In case of contact, rinse thoroughly
with water all parts of the body that came in contact with the shampoo.
Information for patients
Patients using topical corticosteroids should receive the following information
and instructions:
- This medication is to be used as directed by the physician and should not
be used longer than the prescribed time period. It is for external use only.
Avoid contact with the eyes.
- This medication should not be used for any disorder other than that for
which it was prescribed.
- The scalp area should not be covered while the medication is on the scalp
(e.g., shower cap, bathing cap) so as to be occlusive unless directed by the
physician.
- Patients should report any signs of local or systemic adverse reactions
to their physician.
- As with other corticosteroids, therapy should be discontinued when control
is achieved. If no improvement is seen within 4 weeks, contact the physician.
- Patients should wash their hands after applying the medication.
- Patients should inform their physician(s) that they are using CLOBEX®
Shampoo if surgery is contemplated.
- Patients should not use more than 50 g (50 mL or 1.75 fl. oz.) per week
of CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) .
Laboratory tests
The cortrosyn stimulation test may be helpful in evaluating patients for HPA
axis suppression.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Long-term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic
potential of clobetasol propionate.
Clobetasol propionate did not produce any increase in chromosomal aberrations
in Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro in the presence or absence of
metabolic activation. Clobetasol propionate was also negative in the micronucleus
test in mice after oral administration.
Studies of the effect of CLOBEX® (clobetasol propionate) Shampoo, 0.05% on fertility have not been conducted.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category C: 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.
A teratogenicity study of clobetasol propionate in rats using the dermal route
resulted in dose related maternal toxicity and fetal effects from 0.05 to 0.5
mg/kg/day. These doses are approximately 0.1 to 1.0 times, respectively, the
maximum human topical dose of clobetasol propionate from CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) .
Abnormalities seen included low fetal weights, umbilical herniation, cleft palate,
reduced skeletal ossification other skeletal abnormalities.
Clobetasol propionate administered to rats subcutaneously at a dose of 0.1
mg/kg from day 17 of gestation to day 21 postpartum was associated with prolongation
of gestation, decreased number of offspring, increased perinatal mortality of
offspring, delayed eye opening and delayed hair appearance in surviving offspring.
Some increase in offspring perinatal mortality was also observed at a dose of
0.05 mg/kg. Doses of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg are approximately 0.1 and 0.2 fold the
maximum human topical dose of clobetasol propionate from CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) .
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of the teratogenic potential
of clobetasol propionate in pregnant women. CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) should be used
during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk
to the fetus.
Nursing Mothers
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 quanitities
in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should
be exercised when CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) , 0.05%, is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric use
Use of CLOBEX® Shampoo (clobetasol propionate shampoo) , 0.05%, in patients under 18 years old is not recommended
due to potential for HPA axis suppression (see PRECAUTIONS: General).
The effect of CLOBEX® (clobetasol propionate) Shampoo, 0.05%, on HPA axis
suppression was evaluated in one study in adolescents 12 to 17 years of age.
In this study, 5 of 12 evaluable subjects developed suppression of their HPA
axis following 4 weeks of treatment with CLOBEX® (clobetasol propionate)
Shampoo, 0.05%, applied once daily for 15 minutes to a dry scalp before lathering
and rinsing. Only one of the five subjects who had suppression was tested for
recovery of HPA axis, and this subject recovered after 2 weeks.
No studies have been performed in patients under the age of 12. Because of
a higher ratio of skin surface area to body mass, pediatric patients are at
a greater risk than adults of HPA axis suppression and Cushing's syndrome when
they are treated with topical corticosteroids. They are therefore also at greater
risk of adrenal insufficiency during and/or after withdrawal of treatment. Adverse
effects including striae have been reported with inappropriate use of topical
corticosteroids in infants and children.
Therefore, use is not recommended in patients under the age of 18.
HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in children receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in children include low plasma cortisol levels and an absence of response to ACTH stimulation. Manifestations of intracranial hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema.
Geriatric use
Clinical studies of Clobetasol Propionate Shampoo, 0.05%, did not include sufficient
numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently
than younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should
be made with caution, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting
the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of
concomitant disease or other drug therapy.