What is Clobetasol Propionate?

Clobetasol propionate is a synthetic corticosteroid, a class of human-made drugs that mimic naturally occurring steroid hormones. It is the generic name of the drugs Temovate and Clobex, among others.

What is Clobetasol Propionate Used For?

Clobetasol propionate is for short-term treatment of dermatoses, or skin conditions, like psoriasis or eczema. Patients use this medication by applying it to the affected area.

How Does Clobetasol Propionate Work?

Experts are not 100% certain how corticosteroids like this one work. However, they do know that clobetasol propionate (Temovate) has “anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties.” In other words, this medication helps reduce inflammation, relieve itching, and can constrict blood vessels where applied.

Again, while experts are not completely certain how this medication works, they have reason to believe this class of drugs works by inducing lipocortins (phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins). These proteins can reduce inflammation, experts believe, by inhibiting the release of arachidonic acid, an acid that is a necessary part of stimulating inflammatory actions in cells.

How Long Does it Take for Clobetasol Propionate to Work?

It usually only takes about 1 to 3 days for this drug to work. Patients should not use this medication for longer than two weeks straight. If patients do not notice this medication working after this time, or that their condition worsens, they should contact their prescribing physician.

Do Not Use Clobetasol Propionate If:

There are several situations where this medication may not be the right choice for you. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the following should not use clobetasol propionate (as Temovate):

• Those who are hypersensitive to clobetasol propionate or any components of Temovate

Please note that this list may not be complete, and there may be other situations where use of this drug is not advisable. For example, doctors do not typically recommend this medication to treat:

• Fungal lesions
• Tubercular lesions
• Viral lesions
• Use in the eyes

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.

More about Clobetasol Propionate

• Pregnancy Risks
• Withdrawal
• Clobetasol Propionate and Alcohol Interactions
• Clobetasol Propionate Alternatives