WARNINGS
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PRECAUTIONS
General
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.
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. This may be done by using the ACTH
stimulation, A.M. plasma cortisol, and urinary free-cortisol tests. Patients receiving super potent
corticosteroids should not be treated for more than 2 weeks at a time and only small areas should be
treated at any one time due to the increased risk of HPA suppression.
Ultravate Cream produced HPA axis suppression when used in divided doses at 7 grams per day for one
week in patients with psoriasis. These effects were reversible upon discontinuation of treatment.
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 corticosteroid. Recovery of HPA axis function is
generally prompt 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.
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, Ultravate Cream should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.
Allergic contact dermatitis with corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by observing 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.
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 Ultravate Cream should be
discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled.
Ultravate Cream should not be used in the treatment of rosacea or perioral dermatitis, and it should not
be used on the face, groin, or in the axillae.
Laboratory Tests
The following tests may be helpful in evaluating patients for HPA axis suppression: ACTH-stimulation
test; A.M. plasma cortisol test; Urinary free-cortisol test.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, And Impairment Of Fertility
Long-term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of halobetasol
propionate. Positive mutagenicity effects were observed in two genotoxicity assays. Halobetasol
propionate was positive in a Chinese hamster micronucleus test, and in a mouse lymphoma gene mutation
assay in vitro.
Studies in the rat following oral administration at dose levels up to 50 mcg/kg/day indicated no
impairment of fertility or general reproductive performance.
In other genotoxicity testing, halobetasol propionate was not found to be genotoxic in the
Ames/Salmonella assay, in the sister chromatid exchange test in somatic cells of the Chinese hamster, in
chromosome aberration studies of germinal and somatic cells of rodents, and in a mammalian spot test to
determine point mutations.
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 in laboratory animals.
Halobetasol propionate has been shown to be teratogenic in SPF rats and chinchilla-type rabbits when
given systemically during gestation at doses of 0.04 to 0.1 mg/kg in rats and 0.01 mg/kg in rabbits.
These doses are approximately 13, 33 and 3 times, respectively, the human topical dose of Ultravate
Cream. Halobetasol propionate was embryotoxic in rabbits but not in rats.
Cleft palate was observed in both rats and rabbits. Omphalocele was seen in rats, but not in rabbits.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of the teratogenic potential of halobetasol
propionate in pregnant women. Ultravate Cream 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 quantities in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be
exercised when Ultravate Cream is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of Ultravate Cream in pediatric patients have not been established and use in
pediatric patients under 12 is not recommended. 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 or after withdrawal of treatment. Adverse effects including striae have
been reported with inappropriate use of topical corticosteroids in infants and children.
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
Of approximately 400 patients treated with Ultravate Cream in clinical studies, 25% were 61 years and
over and 6% were 71 years and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed
between these patients and younger patients; and other reported clinical experience has not identified
differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older
individuals cannot be ruled out.