Dermovate

Leaflet attached to the packaging: information for the user

Dermovate, 0.5 mg/g, ointment

Clobetasol propionate

Read the leaflet carefully before using the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet, so you can read it again if you need to.
• If you have any doubts, consult a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
• This medicine has been prescribed specifically for you. Do not pass it on to others. The medicine may harm another person, even if their symptoms are the same.
• If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should tell their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. See section 4.

Table of contents of the leaflet

• 1. What is Dermovate ointment and what is it used for
• 2. Important information before using Dermovate ointment
• 3. How to use Dermovate ointment
• 4. Possible side effects
• 5. How to store Dermovate ointment
• 6. Contents of the packaging and other information

1. What is Dermovate ointment and what is it used for

The active substance of Dermovate ointment is clobetasol propionate, a corticosteroid with a very strong anti-inflammatory effect. The medicine is intended for topical use on the skin. Dermovate ointment is indicated for adults and adolescents from 12 years of age for the treatment of skin diseases that respond to corticosteroid therapy, such as:

• psoriasis (excluding generalized lesions),
• lichen planus,
• discoid lupus erythematosus,
• recurrent eczema,
• difficult-to-treat skin diseases that have not responded to weaker corticosteroids.

2. Important information before using Dermovate ointment

When not to use Dermovate ointment

If the patient has:

• untreated skin infections,
• rosacea,
• acne vulgaris,
• perioral dermatitis,
• itching without inflammation,
• itching in the anal and genital areas,
• children under 12 years of age.

Warnings and precautions

Before starting treatment with Dermovate, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist if:

• when using Dermovate for the first time, the patient experiences bone pain or worsening of pre-existing bone symptoms, especially if the patient is using Dermovate for a long time or repeatedly.
• the patient is taking other corticosteroid medicines orally or topically, or medicines that affect the immune system (e.g., in autoimmune diseases or after organ transplantation). Concomitant use of Dermovate with these medicines may lead to severe infections. Dermovate ointment should be used with caution in patients with hypersensitivity to topical corticosteroids or any of the excipients.

In some patients, due to increased systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids, symptoms of hypercorticism (Cushing's syndrome, including moon face, i.e., accumulation of fat in the face or abdominal obesity) and reversible suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis leading to glucocorticoid deficiencies may occur. If these symptoms occur, the doctor will recommend gradual withdrawal of the medicine by reducing the frequency of application or using a corticosteroid with a weaker effect. Abrupt discontinuation of treatment may lead to glucocorticoid deficiencies (see section 4).

Factors increasing the risk of systemic effects

• strength and form of topical corticosteroids,
• exposure time,
• application to large areas of the body,
• application to tightly covered areas of the skin (e.g., in flexural areas or under occlusive dressings),
• increased hydration of the stratum corneum,
• application to areas where the skin is thin - e.g., on the face,
• application to damaged skin or in situations where the skin barrier may be compromised,
• compared to adults, children may absorb proportionally more topical corticosteroids and may be more susceptible to systemic side effects. This is due to the fact that children's skin barrier is immature, and the ratio of surface area to body mass is greater than in adults.

Children

Long-term use of topical corticosteroids in children should be avoided due to the possibility of suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Children are more prone to atrophic changes in the skin during topical corticosteroid therapy. If clobetasol propionate is used in a child, the treatment time should be limited to a few days, and the patient's condition should be evaluated weekly.

Risk of bacterial infections under occlusive dressings

If it is necessary to use the medicine under an occlusive dressing, the skin should be cleaned before applying the dressing, as the heat and moisture associated with occlusive dressings can promote the development of bacterial infections.

Psoriasis

Caution should be exercised when using topical corticosteroids to treat psoriasis, due to the risk of:

developing tolerance to the medicine, worsening of lesions due to the so-called "rebound effect" after discontinuation of the medicine, development of generalized pustular psoriasis, local or systemic side effects of corticosteroids due to excessive absorption of the medicine through damaged skin. If the medicine is used to treat psoriasis, medical supervision is required.

Concomitant infections

In the case of secondary infection within the inflammatory lesions, appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be used. If the infection spreads, topical corticosteroid therapy should be discontinued, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be used.

Ulcers of the lower limbs

Topical corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat inflammation of the skin around chronic ulcers of the lower limbs. Using them in this way may be associated with a higher frequency of local hypersensitivity reactions and an increased risk of local infections.

Use on the face

Using corticosteroids on the face can lead to skin atrophy more frequently than when used on other areas of the body. Use on the face should be limited to a few days.

Use on the eyelids

When using the medicine on the eyelids, care should be taken to avoid getting the medicine into the eye, as repeated exposure may lead to glaucoma and cataracts.

Visual disturbances

If the patient experiences blurred vision or other visual disturbances, they should contact their doctor.

Dermovate and other medicines

The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take. Dermovate ointment may interact with medicines that inhibit the activity of CYP3A4 (an enzyme important for the functioning of the liver and adrenal glands), such as:

• ritonavir (a medicine used to treat HIV infection)
• itraconazole (a medicine used to treat fungal infections of the genus Candida)

The patient should inform their doctor if they are taking any of these medicines.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor before using this medicine. The doctor will assess whether the patient can use Dermovate ointment. Using Dermovate ointment during pregnancy or breastfeeding should only be considered when the expected benefits to the mother outweigh the risk to the fetus or child. The smallest amount of medicine should be used for the shortest possible time. During breastfeeding, Dermovate ointment should not be applied to the breast skin to avoid accidental ingestion by the child.

Driving and using machines

It is unlikely that possible side effects associated with the use of Dermovate ointment will affect driving or using machines.

Dermovate ointment contains propylene glycol and paraffin.

The medicine contains 50 mg of propylene glycol in each gram of ointment. Propylene glycol may cause skin irritation. Dermovate ointment contains paraffin. When using Dermovate, the patient should not smoke or approach an open flame due to the risk of severe burns. Materials (clothing, bedding, dressings, etc.) that have come into contact with this medicine are more easily ignited and pose a significant fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce the amount of medicine in them, but not completely remove it.

3. How to use Dermovate ointment

This medicine should always be used as directed by the doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist. Dermovate ointment is intended for topical use on the skin, particularly on dry, lichenified, scaly skin lesions. The affected areas should be covered with a thin layer of the medicine 1 or 2 times a day, in the morning and evening. A thin layer of ointment should be applied, gently rubbing it in, using the smallest amount necessary to cover the affected areas. After applying the medicine, the patient should wash their hands (if the hands are not being treated). Treatment should be continued until improvement is seen, but no longer than 4 weeks, and then the frequency of application should be reduced or a different medicine with a weaker effect should be used. Before applying an emollient (a moisturizing preparation) after applying the ointment, the patient should wait until the medicine has been absorbed into the skin. The doctor may recommend reusing Dermovate ointment for a short time in case of disease exacerbations. In resistant cases (e.g., psoriatic lesions on the elbows and knees), the doctor may recommend using an occlusive dressing (e.g., with polyethylene film). Usually, applying an occlusive dressing only at night brings significant improvement, which can be maintained by using the medicine without an occlusive dressing. If there is no improvement or worsening of the patient's condition within 2 to 4 weeks, the doctor will reevaluate the indications for using the medicine. Treatment should not be continued for more than 4 weeks. If longer treatment is required, a medicine with a weaker effect should be used. The patient should not use more than 50 grams of ointment per week.

Atopic dermatitis

When treating atopic dermatitis, after improvement is seen, the patient should gradually stop using Dermovate and use an emollient as maintenance therapy. Abrupt discontinuation of clobetasol propionate may lead to a relapse of the disease.

Patients with frequent relapses

After treating an acute episode of the disease with continuous topical corticosteroid therapy, the patient may consider using the medicine intermittently (twice a week, once a day, without an occlusive dressing). It has been shown that this approach can reduce the frequency of relapses. The medicine should be applied to all previously affected areas or areas where relapse is expected. At the same time, emollients should be used daily. The patient's condition and the benefits and risks of continuing treatment should be regularly evaluated.

Children

Using Dermovate in children under 12 years of age is contraindicated. Children are at a higher risk of local and systemic side effects of topical corticosteroids. Additionally, a shorter treatment time is usually required, and corticosteroids with a weaker effect than in adults should be used. Caution should be exercised when treating with Dermovate, and the smallest possible amount that provides therapeutic benefits should be used.

Elderly patients

Clinical trials have not shown significant differences in response to treatment in elderly patients compared to younger patients. The higher frequency of liver or kidney function disorders in elderly patients may lead to slower elimination of the medicine in case of systemic absorption. Therefore, Dermovate should be used in the smallest possible amount and for the shortest time necessary to achieve the expected clinical benefit.

Renal and/or hepatic impairment

In the case of systemic absorption (when the medicine is used on a large area for a long time), metabolism and elimination may be slowed down, and the risk of systemic toxicity may increase. Therefore, Dermovate should be used in the smallest possible amount and for the shortest time necessary to achieve the expected clinical benefit.

Using more than the recommended dose of Dermovate ointment

In the case of prolonged, excessive dosing or improper use of the medicine, symptoms of hypercorticism may occur. In such a case, the patient should contact their doctor.

Missing a dose of Dermovate ointment

The patient should not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose. The medicine should be used as soon as possible, according to the recommended dosage regimen.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Dermovate ointment can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Dermovate ointment should be used as directed by the doctor. If in doubt, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist. To prevent side effects, the doctor should ensure that the patient is using the smallest dose that provides a therapeutic effect. The following side effects have been observed in patients using Dermovate ointment.

Frequent side effects(in 1 to 10 out of 100 patients using the medicine):

• Itching, local burning/pain of the skin.

Uncommon side effects(in 1 to 10 out of 1,000 patients using the medicine):

• Local atrophic changes in the skin, striae.
• Expansion of superficial blood vessels (telangiectasias).

Rare side effects(in less than 1 out of 10,000 patients using the medicine):

• Local hypersensitivity.
• Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, symptoms of Cushing's syndrome: (e.g., moon face, abdominal obesity) delayed weight gain/delayed bone growth in children, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar)/glycosuria (sugar in the urine), hypertension, weight gain/obesity, decreased endogenous cortisol levels, hair loss, brittle hair.
• Opportunistic infections.
• Thinning of the skin, wrinkles on the skin, dryness of the skin, discoloration, excessive hair growth, worsening of the primary disease, contact allergic dermatitis/skin inflammation, pustular psoriasis, erythema, rash, urticaria, acne.
• Skin irritation or pain at the application site.
• Clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract).
• Increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma).

Side effects with unknown frequency(frequency cannot be estimated from available data):

• Visual disturbances caused by detachment of the retina (central serous chorioretinopathy, CSCR).
• Blurred vision.

Reporting side effects

If side effects occur, including any side effects not listed in the leaflet, the patient should tell their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Adverse Reaction Monitoring of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products: Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, Tel.: +48 22 49 21 301, Fax: +48 22 49 21 309, website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl. Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder. Reporting side effects will help gather more information on the safety of the medicine.

5. How to store Dermovate ointment

Store at a temperature below 30°C. The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging after "EXP". The abbreviation "Lot" means the batch number of the product. The expiry date refers to the last day of the specified month. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the packaging and other information

What Dermovate ointment contains

• The active substance of the medicine is clobetasol propionate (0.5 mg/g);
• The other ingredients are propylene glycol, sorbitan sesquioleate, white petrolatum.

What Dermovate ointment looks like and what the pack contains

An aluminum tube containing 25 grams of ointment, placed in a cardboard box.

Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer

Marketing authorization holder

GlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited, 12 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, D24 YK11, Ireland

Manufacturer

Delpharm Poznań Spółka Akcyjna, ul. Grunwaldzka 189, 60-322 Poznań, Poland

Importer

Delpharm Poznań Spółka Akcyjna, ul. Grunwaldzka 189, 60-322 Poznań, Poland. For more detailed information, please contact the local representative of the marketing authorization holder: GSK Services Sp. z o.o., ul. Rzymowskiego 53, 02-697 Warsaw, tel. (22) 576-90-00. Date of last revision of the leaflet:January 2025