Clobex (clobetasol) is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions. As with other drugs, Clobex can cause side effects, such as dry, itchy, or irritated skin.

Clobex can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Clobex lotion, spray, or shampoo in clinical trials:

  • telangiectasia (commonly called “spider veins”)
  • acne-like bumps
  • certain skin reactions

For details about skin reactions with Clobex, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Mild side effects can occur with Clobex use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. Also, Clobex side effects may vary depending on the form of Clobex. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Clobex lotion, spray, and shampoo.

Mild side effects that have been reported in clinical trials of Clobex lotion include:

Mild side effects that have been reported in clinical trials of Clobex spray include:

Mild side effects that have been reported in clinical trials of Clobex shampoo include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Clobex and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Clobex may cause serious side effects, but they are rare. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. Also, Clobex side effects may vary depending on the form. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Clobex lotion, spray, and shampoo.

If you develop serious side effects while using Clobex, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Clobex lotion, spray, and shampoo include:

  • hormone changes (see “Side effect specifics” below)
  • severe allergic reaction (see “Side effect specifics” below)

In addition, an increased risk of glaucoma and cataracts has been reported with Clobex spray. This can result in blurred vision and loss of vision.

If you have questions about these side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Clobex may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are side effects of Clobex lotion similar to those of Clobex shampoo?

Yes, many of the side effects of Clobex lotion are similar to those of Clobex shampoo. For example, both topical drug forms can commonly cause skin discomfort (see “Side effect specifics” below for details). Other side effects these products share include thinning of the skin, dry or itchy skin, and spider veins.

However, there were reports of hair loss and hives (itchy welts on the skin) in Clobex shampoo clinical trials. These side effects were not seen in clinical trials of the lotion.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about how the side effects of Clobex lotion and shampoo compare.

Can Clobex cause weight gain?

No, in clinical studies, weight gain was not a common side effect in clinical trials of Clobex lotion, spray, or shampoo.

However, sudden weight gain can be a sign of Cushing syndrome. This hormonal condition is a rare side effect of Clobex. It can happen if too much drug is absorbed through the skin. For more information about hormone changes with Clobex use, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

If you experience weight gain during Clobex treatment, tell your doctor right away. They can help determine whether Clobex is the cause.

If you have more questions about weight gain or side effects of the drug, talk with your doctor.

Does Clobex cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible, but most of the drug’s side effects are expected to be temporary. They’ll likely go away shortly after you start or stop treatment with Clobex.

Some skin reactions, such as stretch marks, may be permanent, but they usually fade over time. See the “Side effect specifics” section below for details about possible skin reactions with Clobex.

If you have questions about the long-term effects of Clobex, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Clobex may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Clobex lotion, spray, and shampoo.

Skin reactions

Skin reactions can occur when first applying Clobex to the skin. This was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Clobex lotion, spray, and shampoo. Skin reactions can include:

What you can do

Skin reactions typically last only a few days. They should go away as your body adjusts to the drug. In the meantime, you can ask your doctor about ways to ease your symptoms. This may include cool compresses and possibly oral medications.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if your symptoms get worse or don’t go away. They can determine whether Clobex is the cause and recommend treatments.

Hormone changes

Long-term Clobex treatment or using the product over a large area of the body may result in hormone changes. Specifically, the drug may affect the body’s ability to make stress hormones, such as cortisol. This is known as hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression. HPA axis suppression was a rare side effect of the drug in clinical trials.

One sign of HPA axis suppression is Cushing syndrome. Symptoms may include:

What you can do

Hormone changes, such as Cushing syndrome, will typically go away when you stop using the medication.

To help prevent hormone changes, your doctor will prescribe the lowest possible dose of Clobex for the shortest time. Also, it’s recommended to not use Clobex lotion or spray for more than 2 weeks at a time (4 weeks for the shampoo). You and your doctor can discuss your Clobex dosage and treatment plan.

If you notice any symptoms of Cushing syndrome, talk with your doctor. They may want to order tests to see what’s causing your symptoms. If your doctor confirms that you have HPA axis suppression, they may decrease your dose or have you stop using the medication. They also may recommend a different medication instead.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Clobex can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the clinical trials of Clobex lotion, spray, or shampoo.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Clobex. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Clobex. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Skin infection: Clobex contains a corticosteroid and can lower your body’s ability to fight infections, including skin infections. It’s possible Clobex could cause a new infection or make it harder to heal an existing infection. Tell your doctor if you have a skin infection so they can treat it. They may have you stop using Clobex until the infection goes away.

Open wounds: You should not apply the drug to open wounds or damaged skin. Doing so could cause more medication than usual to be absorbed into your body. This can increase your risk of side effects. Clobex can also make it more difficult for your skin to heal. If you have any open wounds, sores, or cuts, tell your doctor before using Clobex. Your doctor will likely want to wait until your skin fully heals before you use Clobex.

Hormone disorders: Before starting Clobex, tell your doctor if you have a hormone-related condition, such as Cushing syndrome. You may have an increased risk of hormone changes with Clobex. To learn more about hormone changes caused by Clobex, see “Side effect specifics” above.

Planned surgery: Tell your doctor if you have surgery planned. Treatment with corticosteroids, including Clobex, can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections. This could increase your risk of infection at the surgery site and slow the healing process. Your doctor may wait to start Clobex until after your surgical site heals.

Diabetes: Clobex can sometimes increase blood sugar levels if the drug is used long term or over a large body area. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about starting Clobex. Your doctor will likely have you monitor your blood sugar level more closely during treatment with Clobex.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Clobex or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Clobex. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Clobex is safe to use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor before using Clobex if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. They can discuss the risks and benefits of using Clobex.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between Clobex and alcohol. However, it’s possible that alcohol consumption can worsen psoriasis. (Clobex is used to treat psoriasis and some other inflammatory conditions.) Talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to drink alcohol during Clobex treatment.

People using Clobex may have mild side effects that go away after a few days. Serious side effects are rare. Tell your doctor right away if you have any side effects that don’t go away, are bothersome, or are serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Clobex, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Clobex: For details about other aspects of Clobex, refer to this article.
  • A look at psoriasis: For details about psoriasis and Clobex’s other approved uses, see our psoriasis and dermatology hubs.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.