Short-term safety assessment of clobetasol propionate 0.05% shampoo: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, atrophogenicity, and ocular safety in subjects with scalp psoriasis

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology,  April, 2006  by Philippe Andres,  Michel Poncet,  Farzaneh Sidou,  Pascale Soto

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, clobetasol propionate shampoo did not lead to any HPA axis suppression, or to skin atrophy. Conversely, the gel formulation led to HPA axis suppression and to skin thickness decrease. None of the formulations had an impact on ocular safety. Despite the short contact application time, the clobetasol propionate 0.05% shampoo demonstrated a similar efficacy to that of the gel.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the editorial assistance of Patrick Goritz, Galderma Medical.

Disclosure

All authors are employees of Galderma Laboratories. The research was supported by Galderma Laboratories.

References

1. Olsen EA, Cornell RC. Topical clobetasol-17-propionate: review of its clinical efficacy and safety. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986; 15: 246-55.

2. Jacobson C, Cornell RC, Savin RC. A comparison of clobetasol propionate 0.05 percent ointment and an optimized betamethasone dipropionate 0.05 percent ointment in the treatment of psoriasis. Cutis. 1986;37:213-20.

3. Olsen EA, Cram DL, Ellis CN, Hickman JG, Jacobson C, Jenkins EE, et al. A double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Temovate) scalp application in the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991;24:443-7.

4. Aso M. The effects of potent topical corticosteroids on adrenocortical function. J Dermatol. 1983;10:145-9.

5. Eriksen K. Comparison of clobetasol propionate and betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate with reference to adrenal suppression. Acta Derm Venereol. 1979;59:372-4.

6. Katz HI, Hien NT, Prawer SE, Mastbaum LI, Mooney JJ, Samson CR. Superpotent topical steroid treatment of psoriasis vulgaris--clinical efficacy and adrenal function. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1987;16:804-11.

7. Prawer SE, Katz HI. Guidelines for using superpotent topical steroids. Am Fam Physician. 1990;41:1531-8.

8. Walsh P, Aeling JL, Huff L, Weston WL. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression by superpotent topical steroids. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993;29:501-3.

9. Cherian MP, AbdulJabbar M. Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression from percutaneous absorption of clobetasol propionate in infants. Saudi Med J. 2001;22:1139-41.

10. Gilbertson EO, Spellman MC, Piacquadio DJ, Mulford MI. Super potent topical corticosteroid use associated with adrenal suppression: clinical considerations. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;38:318-21.

11. Ohman EM, Rogers S, Meenan FO, McKenna TJ. Adrenal suppression following low-dose topical clobetasol propionate. J R Soc Med. 1987;80:422-24.

12. Staughton RC, August PJ. Cushing's syndrome and pituitary-adrenal suppression due to clobetasol propionate. Br Med J. 1975;2:419-21.

13. Lubach D, Rath J, Kietzmann M. Skin atrophy induced by initial continuous topical application of clobetasol followed by intermittent application. Dermatology. 1995;190:51-5.

14. Lavker RM, Kaidbey K, Leyden JJ. Effects of topical ammonium lactate on cutaneous atrophy from a potent topical corticosteroid. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1992;26:535-44.