Halobetasol
Mechanism :
It is a topical corticosteroid which acts by its anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic properties and vasoconstrictive actions.
Indication :
- Inflammatory, pruritic and dermatoses responsive to steroids
- Psoriatic plaques
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) - Mycosis fungoides
Contraindications :
• Hypersensitivity, Occlusive dressing, diabetes mellitus
• Caution in case of pediatric patients
• Caution in case of skin infection, causings syndrome, HPA suppression
• During pregnancy, consider lower potency drug for long term use or in case of large application site since there is a possible risk of harm to the fetus like low birth weight due to potential systemic absorption of the drug. However, human data available is inadequate
• During breastfeeding, lower potency drug can be used short-term for the nipple area and the drug should be removed thoroughly before breastfeeding. Human data available is inadequate regarding risk of harm to the infant, effects on milk production. Drug should not be applied directly on the nipple
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Peripheral vascular disease
Dosing :
Dosage forms:
Topical cream: 0.05% (0.5 mg/g)
Topical ointment: 0.05% (0.5 mg/g)
Topical lotion: 0.05% (0.5mg/g)
Topical foam: 0.05%
For Inflammatory, pruritic and dermatoses responsive to steroids:
Safety and efficacy not confirmed for <12 years old.
12 years or older: Cream/ointment to be applied topically to the affected areas twice a day.
Maximum dose is 50 g/week and drug should not be used for longer than 2 weeks.
Lotion and foam not approved for <18 years old.
For Psoriatic plaques:
Safety and efficacy not confirmed for <12 years old.
12 years or older: apply a thin layer of 0.05% lotion or 0.05% foam topically to the affected areas twice a day for upto 12 weeks.
Maximum dose is 50 g/week.
For CTCL:
14 years or older: Cream/ointment to be applied topically to the affected areas twice a day for 2-3 months which has to be continued for 1 month after clearance of lesions.
Adverse Effect :
• Uncommon: headache, telangiectasia, application site atrophy
• Frequency not defined: atrophy of skin, striae, acneform lesions, allergic contact dermatitis, pruritis, dermatitis around the mouth, pustules, urticaria, hypertrichosis, pigmentation, leukoderma, suppression of the HPA axis when higher potency drug is used for more than 2 weeks, intracranial hypertension, growth retardation, cushing’s syndrome
Hepatic Dose :
Not defined for pediatric population