alclometasone
Alclometasone dipropionate is a low potency (strength) topical steroid medication that comes in both cream and ointment. It's used to relieve inflammation and itching from various skin conditions, such as eczema or allergic reactions. The medication can be used in adults and children 1 year and older. Typically, it's applied to the affected area(s) of the skin 2 or 3 times a day. While most people experience few to no side effects, some might have skin irritation or burning at the application site.
What is Alclometasone?
What is Alclometasone used for?
- Inflammatory and itchy skin conditions
How Alclometasone works
Alclometasone is a topical corticosteroid. It blocks certain substances in the body that cause inflammation which can lead to redness, itching, and swelling. This helps reduce inflammation in certain skin conditions.
Drug facts
Side effects of Alclometasone
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Alclometasone cream:
- Itching (2%)
- Burning (2%)
- Skin redness (2%)
- Dry skin (2%)
- Irritation (2%)
- Itchy red bumps (2%)
Alclometasone ointment:
- Itching (1%)
- Burning (1%)
- Skin redness (1%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin thinning
- Lighter skin color
- Acne
- Inflamed hair follicles
- Blisters around the mouth
- Infection
- Stretch marks
- Heat rash
The following Alclometasone side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin
- Fragile or thinning skin that bruises easily
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in skin color
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
- Small, red, pus-filled bumps on skin around hair follicles
- Unexpected hair growth at application site
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Pros and cons of Alclometasone
Pros
- Low potency topical steroid, so it has lower risk of side effects
- Available in both cream and ointment
- Can be used in children 1 year and older
Cons
- Only used short term
- Might not work as well for serious skin conditions
- Applied multiple times a day
Pharmacist tips for Alclometasone
- When applying alclometasone, make sure to gently massage it into the skin until the medication disappears.
- Apply alclometasone only on skin that's not broken. Avoid open wounds or damaged skin because this could cause you to absorb more medication, leading to a higher risk of side effects. Don't take this medication by mouth, and never use it in your eyes, nose, or ears.
- Don't use alclometasone on the face, armpits, or groin unless directed by your healthcare team.
- Wash your hands before and after using alclometasone to help prevent getting the medication in your eyes.
- Don't cover the treated area with a bandage after applying alclometasone unless your prescriber instructed you to. This can cause more medication to get absorbed into your body than intended. It can also raise your risk of side effects, like burning and irritation.
- Alclometasone isn't meant to be used long term, so ask your healthcare team how long your treatment should last. Let your healthcare team know if you haven't had any improvement in your skin condition after 2 weeks. You might need to receive a different treatment.
- Don't apply other topical steroids to the skin while you're using alclometasone unless your prescriber specifically said it's safe for you. Applying more than one topical steroid can raise your risk for side effects.
Common questions about Alclometasone
Don't apply alclometasone on your face unless directed by your dermatologist. Applying too much of this medication over sensitive skin areas, like the face and underarms, can put you at higher risk for side effects, such as skin thinning or stretch marks.
Yes. Alclometasone is a topical steroid. It helps to lower symptoms of skin inflammation, such as redness, itching, and swelling. Because it's applied to the skin, only small amounts of the medication are absorbed into the bloodstream. This makes it less likely to cause certain serious side effects linked to steroids that you take by mouth.
Yes, you can use alclometasone with a moisturizer. But be sure to wait 15 minutes between applying the two skin products. This gives time for the topical steroid to be absorbed completely before the moisturizing product.
Alclometasone and hydrocortisone are both low-potency steroids used to treat skin inflammation. While alclometasone only comes as a topical cream and ointment, hydrocortisone also comes in many other forms for other purposes, including rectal suppositories for hemorrhoids. Alclometasone currently requires a prescription, while hydrocortisone 1% is available over the counter (OTC). Talk to your healthcare team if you have questions about comparing these two medications.
No, you shouldn't apply alclometasone over an open wound because steroids can slow wound healing, which raises your risk of infection. Applying it to an open wound can also cause you to absorb too much medication, putting you at higher risk for side effects like skin thinning, stretch marks, spider veins, burning, itching, or rash. Speak with your healthcare team if you have any side effects or skin infection while you're using alclometasone.
According to American Academy of Dermatology, topical steroids, such as alclometasone, can help treat eczema. It works by lowering inflammation, which can help with certain skin problems that are caused by a sensitive immune system. Be aware that there are different topical steroids, each with its own strength. Talk with your dermatologist to make sure that you use the right one for you.
No, alclometasone shouldn't be used to treat diaper rash. It's also not FDA approved in children under 1 year old. Speak with your child's pediatrician about safe options to treat diaper rash.
Alclometasone isn't usually recommended to treat jock itch, a fungal skin infection that causes an itchy rash in the groin area. Although alclometasone might help with the itching and rash temporarily, it can also worsen your infection since it prevents you from receiving the right medication in the meantime.
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Risks and warnings for Alclometasone
Alclometasone can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Changes in stress hormone levels
- Risk factors: Applying other topical steroids at the same time | Applying alclometasone for a long period of time | Applying too much alclometasone on your skin | Covering the medicated area | Young children
If too much topical steroid is absorbed through the skin, it can interrupt your body's ability to make stress hormones and affect many bodily functions. For example, it can raise your blood sugar levels or cause your skin to bruise more easily. This is rare with alclometasone because it's a low-potency corticosteroid. But your risk is higher if you apply alclometasone for a long time or apply it over larger areas of skin. To prevent changes in hormone levels, your healthcare team will prescribe the lowest possible dose of alclometasone for the shortest amount of time.
In addition, if you suddenly stop using alclometasone after having done so for a long time and over a large skin area, you might experience topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). Some symptoms include itchy, burning, or flaky skin. Don't suddenly stop using alclometasone without talking to them first.
Skin infection
Alclometasone can lower your body's ability to fight infections, including infections on your skin. It's especially important to treat skin infections with an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial if you're using alclometasone. If you notice redness, pain, swelling, or pus where you are applying this medication, stop using it and talk to your prescriber right away.
Skin irritation
- Risk factors: Using a higher dose of alclometasone over a longer period of time
Using alclometasone longer than directed by your prescriber can raise your risk of different skin reactions, including skin thinning, stretch marks, burning, itching, irritation, dry skin, or rash. To prevent severe skin reactions from happening, your healthcare team will prescribe the lowest possible dose of alclometasone to treat your symptoms for the shortest amount of time. Let them know right away if you notice any new or worsening skin problems.
Alclometasone dosage
Typical dosage for Alclometasone
The typical dose is to apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) 2 or 3 times a day.
How much does Alclometasone cost?
$12.36
