Explanation

Clobetasone butyrate (also called Eumovate^TM) is a medicine used to help treat all types of eczema and dermatitis.

Clobetasone butyrate is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid.

How does it work?

If you have eczema or dermatitis, your white blood cells will release chemicals into your blood when you come into contact with certain irritants in the environment. These chemicals can make your skin red, dry and very itchy. Clobetasone butyrate blocks the action of these chemicals and helps your rash get better.

What does it look like?

Clobetasone butyrate comes as a cream that you rub on your skin in the areas where you have a rash.

When do I have to use it?

You should rub the cream on the areas of your skin where you have a rash up to four times a day. You should keep using it four times a day until you notice your rash is getting better and then you can use it less.

You should ask your parents or the adults looking after you if they think your rash has got better, and ask how many times you should put the cream on.

Make sure you do not use it more than four times in one day though. Normally, you should not use it for more than 7 days in a row.

If you don't have eczema or dermatitis on your hands, make sure that you wash your hands after putting the cream on the areas where you have a rash.

If you are using clobetasone butyrate on your eyelids or near your eyes, be very, very careful not to get it in your eyes!

But what if I don't feel like using it?

You should use your clobetasone butyrate cream every day until your rash is better, even if you don't feel like putting it on. You should only need to use it for about 7 days unless your doctor has told you to use it for longer.

What should I do if I forget to use it?

If you forget to use your clobetasone butyrate, don't worry, just use it when you remember. If you remember close to the time you would next use the cream, just use it once at that time.

How much should I use?

Your doctor will tell you how much clobetasone butyrate to use. It will depend on how bad your rash is, and how old you are.

Ask an adult how much you should use and get them to help you put it on if you need to.

What are the most likely side effects I might get?

Clobetasone butyrate has some side effects, but you are very unlikely to get them.

If you DO get side effects though, some of them can be serious, so it's important that you keep an eye out for them. You must tell your doctor straight away if:

you notice redness, a rash, itchiness or a burning feeling where you put the cream on (this may be similar to eczema or dermatitis)

you notice your skin tanning, either in patches or all over your body

your symptoms get worse

Also, tell your doctor if you notice anything else strange while you are using, or have been using, clobetasone butyrate.

Are there any other side effects you haven't mentioned?

If you use too much clobetasone butyrate you may get a condition called adrenal suppression, although this is very unusual. It is more likely to happen in younger kids, or if you wear a dressing that doesn't allow much air in, like a nappy or bandage.

Make sure you tell your doctor straight away if you notice:

Dehydration

Weight loss

You feel 'spaced out' or don't know where you are

Weakness

Tiredness

Dizziness

Muscle aches

Nausea (feeling sick)

Vomiting (being sick)

Diarrhoea (runny poo)

Is it safe for me to be taking it?

You should make sure you DON'T use your clobetasone butyrate on sores that are NOT caused by eczema or dermatitis, like:

Viral infections like cold sores or chicken pox

Fungal infections like ringworm

Bacterial infections that cause blisters or sores

Sometimes when you scratch you may cause your skin to crack open, and if bacteria get in you could get an infection. If this happens, your doctor may give you another medicine (which could be a cream, tablet or liquid you drink) to treat the infection. If your doctor does this, you must make sure that you stop using your clobetasone butyrate until you have finished all of the other medicine your doctor has given you.

Is it okay for me to take clobetasone butyrate if I'm already taking other medicine?

It's usually ok to use clobetasone butyrate at the same time as other medicines, but just to be safe you should tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking before you start using clobetasone butyrate.

Remember, if you get an infection in the sores from your eczema or dermatitis your doctor may give you medicine to treat it (which could be a cream, tablet or liquid you drink). If your doctor does this you must make sure that you stop using your clobetasone butyrate until you have finished all of the other medicine your doctor has given you.

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people with eczema in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.