DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: alclometasone topical (al kloe MEH ta sone)
Brand Names: Aclovate

What is alclometasone topical?

Alclometasone is a topical steroid. It reduces or inhibits the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.

Alclometasone is used to treat the inflammation caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis.

Alclometasone topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about alclometasone topical?

Do not use plastic bandages, dressings, or diapers that do not allow air to circulate to the area (occlusive dressings) unless your doctor directs you to do so. The use of occlusive dressings can greatly increase the amount of drug the body absorbs. If you do use an occlusive dressing, do not use it for more than 12 hours a day.

Do not use alclometasone topical to treat any area of the body that it is not prescribed for. This could be dangerous.

Alclometasone is not approved for use by children younger than 1 year of age. Do not use alclometasone topical to treat a child, unless it is prescribed by a doctor for the child. Children are more sensitive to the effects of alclometasone topical.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using alclometasone topical?

Return to your doctor if the condition does not improve or if it gets worse. Alclometasone topical will not treat the condition if it is an infection.

Alclometasone topical is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether alclometasone topical will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. If it is necessary to use alclometasone during pregnancy, the smallest amount possible should be applied, for the shortest time necessary to treat the condition, under the supervision of a doctor. It is not known whether alclometasone passes into breast milk. Do not use alclometasone topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Alclometasone is not approved for use by children younger than 1 year of age. Do not use alclometasone topical to treat a child, unless it is prescribed by a doctor for the child. Children are more sensitive to the effects of alclometasone topical.

How should I use alclometasone topical?

Apply the medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Wash your hands before and after each application, unless alclometasone topical is being used to treat a hand condition.

Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin.

Use caution on areas where the skin creases, such as armpits, knees, and elbows. These areas may absorb more medication. Also, avoid the eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes.

If you need to protect the area, it can be covered with a breathable cotton-gauze dressing. Avoid using plastic, occlusive dressings that do not allow air to circulate to the area. Plastic pants and diapers may be harmful if used over alclometasone topical on a child.

Do not use alclometasone topical to treat any area of the body that it is not prescribed for. This could be dangerous.

It is important to use alclometasone topical regularly to get the most benefit.

Store alclometasone topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and apply the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not apply a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of alclometasone topical is not likely to threaten life. If the medication is ingested, or if a large amount of cream is used over a large area and you are experiencing side effects, call an emergency room or a poison control center for advice.

What should I avoid while using alclometasone topical?

Do not use plastic bandages, dressings, or diapers that do not allow air to circulate to the area (occlusive dressings) unless your doctor directs you to do so. The use of occlusive dressings can greatly increase the amount of drug the body absorbs. If you do use an occlusive dressing, do not use it for more than 12 hours a day. Do not use other topical products on the treated area, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Alclometasone topical side effects

No serious systemic side effects are expected unless you are using a large amount of alclometasone topical for a long period of time. If the drug is being absorbed by the body you may experience blurred vision, halos around lights, an irregular heartbeat, insomnia, mood changes, weight gain, or fatigue. If you experience any unusual side effects, notify your doctor.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. You may experience some redness, blistering, burning, itching, or peeling of the skin being treated. Continue to use alclometasone topical and talk to your doctor.

Other local side effects may also occur, especially with prolonged use of alclometasone topical. These may include thinning of the skin, prolonged redness, and stretch marks.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect alclometasone topical?

Do not use other topical products on the treated area, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with alclometasone topical. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about alclometasone written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Alclometasone topical is available with a prescription under the brand name Aclovate. Other brand or generic formulations of this medication may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Aclovate 0.05% cream

• Aclovate 0.05% ointment

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.02. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:02:47 PM.