How Much Is Clobetasol Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Clobetasol (Clobex, Impoyz) is a generic topical medication that comes in several forms, including topical ointment, cream, gel, solution, and shampoo. This prescription-only treatment can be applied to the skin or scalp to treat moderate-to-severe skin conditions, such as scalp psoriasis and plaque psoriasis.
Clobetasol is considered a “super-potent” steroid medication. It’s a short-term treatment option that works by lowering the amount of inflammatory chemicals in your skin or scalp, slowing the growth of new skin cells, and limiting the body’s immune response to help with itchy skin, rashes, inflammation, and other symptoms.
Without insurance, a 60 g tube of 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream can cost an average of $373.68. You could pay as little as $19.39 with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies.
Table of contents
Clobetasol (Clobex, Impoyz) is a topical corticosteroid used to treat moderate-to-severe skin conditions, including eczema, scalp psoriasis, and plaque psoriasis. It’s considered “super potent,” and it should be used only as prescribed — usually for no more than 2 weeks at a time — to prevent serious side effects.
This prescription-only medication can help treat skin inflammation by lowering the amount of inflammatory chemicals in the skin and scalp that cause itching, redness, and swelling. Clobetasol can also slow down the growth of new skin cells to reduce patchy or scaly skin. And it can temper an immune response that exacerbates certain conditions.
Clobetasol comes in many forms, including lotion, shampoo, spray, cream, and gel. This medication is generally prescribed for adults only, but some forms are used to treat skin conditions in children as young as 12 years old.
The cost of clobetasol depends on several factors, including its dose, its form, and the pharmacy where the prescription is filled. If your health insurance doesn’t cover clobetasol, a GoodRx coupon could lower your cost at certain pharmacies.
Clobetasol basics
Clobetasol is the generic version of the brand-name medications Clobex and Impoyz. You may know clobetasol by the brand names Cormax, Olux, and Temovate, but those have been discontinued.
The chart below provides a summary of basic information about clobetasol.
Clobetasol basics
| Generic names | Clobetasol propionate, clobetasol propionate emollient |
| Brand names | |
| Forms | |
| FDA-approved uses | Clobetasol is approved for moderate-to-severe conditions, including:
|
| Benefits |
|
| Possible side effects | Clobetasol propionate eye drops:
Other forms of clobetasol:
|
Is clobetasol covered by insurance?
Many health insurance plans cover generic clobetasol. Nearly all Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial plans provide coverage, including those purchased through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.
If you have insurance, review your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary (list of covered medications) to determine whether generic clobetasol is covered. If not, contact your prescription plan provider and ask about your coverage options. You can also discuss alternatives with your prescriber or a pharmacist.
How insurance covers clobetasol
The following charts show the likelihood of coverage for clobetasol propionate 0.05% topical solution, based on the type of insurance plan.
Understanding topical steroid (corticosteroid) potency: Clobetasol (Clobex, Impoyz) is classified as a Class 1, “super-potent” topical steroid that treats moderate-to-severe skin conditions, such as eczema, scalp psoriasis, and plaque psoriasis. Learn more about topical corticosteroid potency levels.
Clobetasol formulations: This topical steroid is available as a cream, a lotion, and a shampoo, as well as many other forms. Clobetasol may have side effects, including burning, stinging, itching, or irritated skin.
Options for treating scalp psoriasis: If you have scalp psoriasis, clobetasol isn’t your only option. Here are other effective prescription and over-the-counter topical treatment options for scalp psoriasis.
Most health insurance plans don’t require enrollees to get prior authorization or do step therapy. But prior authorization is required for about 1 in 5 people covered by an ACA plan.
Insurance coverage for clobetasol propionate (0.05% topical solution)
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for 0.05% clobetasol propionate topical solution | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial plans (not including plans purchased through an ACA marketplace) | 98.5% | 1.7% | 0.9% |
97% | 20.6% | 1.1% | |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 91% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.8% | 5.1% | 0.7% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of January 6, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance
If your insurance doesn’t cover clobetasol, you still have options:
Use a GoodRx coupon to save on your prescription.
Ask your prescriber about less costly topical steroids that meet your needs.
If you were prescribed brand-name Clobex or Impoyz, ask about switching to a lower-cost generic medication.
Request a formulary exception from your insurance company. If your request is denied, you have the right to file an appeal with your plan.
When it’s time for open enrollment, compare different health insurance plans to find one that provides the coverage you need.
How much does clobetasol cost without insurance?
Without insurance, what you pay for clobetasol depends on several factors, including your:
Specific pharmacy
Geographic location
Fill amount
Medication dose
Dosage form
The following table shows what you might pay for different quantities, doses, and forms of clobetasol.
Clobetasol propionate costs
Clobetasol forms and doses | Average cash price |
|---|---|
Cream, tube (15 g of 0.05%) | |
Cream, tube (30 g of 0.05%) | |
Cream, tube (45 g of 0.05%) | |
Cream, tube (60 g of 0.05%) | |
Eye drops, suspension | |
Foam, can (50 g of 0.05%) | |
Foam, can (100 g of 0.05%) | |
Gel, tube (15 g of 0.05%) | |
Gel, tube (30 g of 0.05%) | |
Gel, tube (60 g of 0.05%) | |
Lotion, bottle (59 mL of 0.05%) | |
Lotion, bottle (118 mL of 0.05%) | |
Ointment, tube (15 g of 0.05%) | |
Ointment, tube (30 g of 0.05%) | |
Ointment, tube (45 g of 0.05%) | |
Ointment, tube (60 g of 0.05%) | |
Shampoo, bottle | |
Spray, bottle (59 mL of 0.05%) | |
Spray, bottle (125 mL of 0.05%) | |
Topical solution, bottle (25 mL of 0.05%) | |
Topical solution, bottle (50 mL of 0.05%) |
Clobetasol propionate emollient costs
Dosage | Average retail price |
|---|---|
Cream, tube (15 g of 0.05%) | |
Cream, tube (30 g of 0.05%) | |
Cream, tube (45 g of 0.05%) | |
Cream, tube (60 g of 0.05%) | |
Foam, can (50 g of 0.05%) | |
Foam, can (100 g of 0.05%) |
Ways to save on clobetasol without insurance
Clobetasol may be a stretch for your budget. Whether or not you have insurance, there are ways to reduce the cost. Here are four options.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a free GoodRx coupon, you could get a lower price for your clobetasol prescription at your pharmacy. To get a coupon, visit www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type “clobetasol” in the search field, and choose the form, dosage, and quantity you have been prescribed. Make sure the search results show local pharmacies. You can input your zip code or address, or you can select “Use my current location.” Choose how to receive your coupon (printed, emailed, or texted).
Take your coupon with you to the pharmacy. You can also present the coupon to the pharmacy staff early in the filling process to avoid delays at the pickup counter. For example, without insurance, the average price of a 60 g tube of 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream can be $373.68, and you could pay as low as $19.39 with a GoodRx coupon at certain pharmacies.
2. Compare prices at various pharmacies
GoodRx lets you easily compare clobetasol costs at different pharmacies in your area. You might find it’s worth driving a bit further to get a discounted price.
3. Ask your prescriber about alternatives
Clobetasol isn’t the only topical steroid out there. Ask your prescriber about lower-cost options that adequately treat your condition.
4. Use tax-advantaged healthcare funds
Consider using a flexible spending account, a health savings account, or a health reimbursement arrangement to cover your medication. These types of accounts have multiple tax benefits when used to cover healthcare costs. This can reduce your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings. Review your account’s contribution limits, rollover limits, and eligible expenses.
The bottom line
Clobetasol (Clobex, Impoyz) is a prescription-only topical corticosteroid used to treat moderate-to-severe skin conditions, such as plaque psoriasis. It can reduce swelling or inflammation, limit the production of new cells that help create scaly or patchy skin, and lessen the body’s immune response that contributes to some conditions.
The cost of clobetasol depends on factors like the medication form, pharmacy, and your insurance coverage. If you don’t have insurance, the average price of a 60 g tube of 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream is $373.68, and you could pay as little as $19.39 with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies. Other forms may cost more or less.
If you have insurance but your plan doesn’t cover clobetasol, you could still save money by using a GoodRx coupon. Other ways to save include using funds from a tax-advantaged healthcare account, asking your prescriber about cost-effective alternatives, and shopping around at different pharmacies.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of January 2025.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
Alembic Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Clobetasol propionate ointment [package insert]. DailyMed.
Alembic Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Clobetasol propionate shampoo [package insert]. DailyMed.
Alembic Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Clobetasol propionate solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Alembic Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Clobetasol propionate spray [package insert]. DailyMed.
Bora Pharmaceuticals Ophthalmic. (2024). Clobetasol propionate suspension/ drops [package insert]. DailyMed.
DailyMed. (n.d.). Clobex. National Library of Medicine.
E. Fougera & Co., a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals. (2021). Clobetasol propionate (emollient)- clobetasol propionate cream [package insert]. DailyMed.
INA Pharmaceutics. (2025). Clobetasol propionate cream [package insert]. DailyMed.
Lupin Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Clobetasol propionate lotion [package insert]. DailyMed.
Medicaid.gov (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
National Eye Institute. (2024). Vitreous detachment. National Institutes of Health.
Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals. (2023). Clobetasol propionate gel [package insert]. DailyMed.
Primus Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Impoyz- clobetasol propionate cream [package insert]. DailyMed.
Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. (2024). Clobetasol propionate aerosol, foam [package insert]. DailyMed.
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