Alclometasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid medication used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It can help relieve the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, such as itching, redness and inflammation. It may also help to prevent these conditions from coming back.
What is Alclometasone dipropionate used for?
Alclometasone dipropionate is used to treat a variety of skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis. It works by reducing inflammation in the skin. Alclometasone dipropionate is available as a cream, ointment, or solution.
Alclometasone dipropionate brand names
The only brand name commonly known for Alclometasone dipropionate is Aclovate.
Which body parts should be avoided when using Alclometasone dipropionate?
Use this medication on the skin only. However, do not use it on the face, groin, or underarms, or for diaper rash, unless directed to do so by your doctor. Avoid getting this medication in the eyes, nose, or mouth. If you get the medication in these areas, rinse with plenty of water.
How long does Alclometasone dipropionate stay in your system?
The amount of time that Alclometasone dipropionate stays in your system is dependent on the duration of use of the medicine. Some research suggests that suppression of cortisol levels is still apparent 96 hours after topical use of corticosteroid creams, which implies that Alclometasone dipropionate can stay in your system for long periods of time, possibly for up to a few weeks. Alclometasone dipropionate is not recommended for long term use. More research is required about the half-life of Alclometasone dipropionate and how long it stays in your system.
According to the NHS, for people who use Alclometasone dipropionate for extended periods of time (more than 12 months in adults), a withdrawal reaction may occur which can include:
- redness or changes in skin color (hyperpigmentation)
- burning, stinging, itching or peeling of the skin, or oozing, open sores
What are the side effects of Alclometasone dipropionate?
Common side effects include
- skin stinging,
- burning,
- itching,
- irritation,
- dryness,
- redness, or
- rash when first applied to the skin.
- thinning or softening of your skin,
- skin rash or irritation around your mouth,
- swollen hair follicles,
- changes in color of treated skin,
- blisters,
- pimples,
- crusting of treated skin, or
- stretch marks
Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects such as:
- blurred vision,
- seeing halos around lights,
- mood changes,
- sleep problems (insomnia),
- weight gain,
- puffiness in your face,
- muscle weakness, or
- you feel tired.
Why does my skin burn when I apply Alclometasone dipropionate to my skin?
If your skin burns after applying Alclometasone dipropionate to your skin, you may have an allergic reaction to the steroid cream and your skin cannot tolerate it. Alclometasone dipropionate also contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause acute allergic reactions.
How do I taper down from using Alclometasone dipropionate?
To taper down from using Alclometasone dipropionate, many doctors advise adjusting to using a weaker steroid cream over an extended period of time. This is commonly known as climbing down the topical steroid ladder.
Which steroid creams are weaker than Alclometasone dipropionate?
Alclometasone dipropionate is a low-strength topical steroid. Other steroid creams that are weaker than alclometasone dipropionate are the following:
- Desonide 0.05%
- Fluocinolone acetonide
- Hydrocortisone 0.5% – 2.5%
- Hydrocortisone
Which steroid creams are stronger than Alclometasone dipropionate?
- Augmented betamethasone dipropionate
- Clobetasol propionate
- Desoximetasone
- Augmented diflorasone diacetate
- Diflorasone diacetate
- Fluocinonide
- Flurandrenolide 4 mcg/cm2
- Halobetasol propionate
- Amcinonide
- Betamethasone dipropionate
- Halcinonide
- Mometasone furoate
- Fluticasone propionate
- Triamcinolone acetonide 0.5%
- Betamethasone valerate
- Fluocinolone acetonide
- Flurandrenolide
- Hydrocortisone valerate
- Triamcinolone acetonide
- Betamethasone valerate 0.1%
- Clocortolone pivalate
- Fluocinolone acetonide
- Fluticasone propionate
- Flurandrenolide
- Hydrocortisone butyrate
- Hydrocortisone probutate
- Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2%
- Prednicarbate
What happens when you use Alclometasone dipropionate too often?
If you use Alclometasone dipropionate too frequently or for an extended period of time, tolerance or tachyphylaxis to that potency level of steroid cream may develop. Alclometasone dipropionate is not recommended for extended use which may result in some of the common side effects listed above. Consult with your doctor if you have concerns.
Does Alclometasone dipropionate cause topical steroid withdrawal?
More research is required to understand the complexity of Topical Steroid Withdrawal and its specific connection to Alclometasone dipropionate. Alclometasone dipropionate is a highly potent corticosteroid commonly used for skin conditions and the side effects of discontinuing the use of this topical steroid medicine is yet to be studied.
Throughout online groups and communities, there are serious concerns, accounts, discussions and images about corticosteroid creams (not just Alclometasone dipropionate) causing Topical Steroid Withdrawal. The accounts and experiences of the Topical Steroid Withdrawal community continues to grow and has gathered media wide attention for the aesthetic physical severity of many suffering.
Topical Steroid Withdrawal is an iatrogenic health phenomena that requires more research and studies. The International Topical Steroid Awareness Network (ITSAN) is currently building a patient registry to begin preliminary studies.
Is there treatment for Topical Steroid Withdrawal?
Currently, there is no global protocol or medical treatment for topical steroid withdrawal. At TSW Assist, we are identifying crowd sourced insights of products, routines, and therapies that can help manage the inflammation and symptoms during the withdrawal period from topical steroids. Currently, there is no quick cure for Topical Steroid Withdrawal.
Through the community, we are finding insights of the management of the symptoms of TSW, through the tracking of the efficacy of specific products, methods and therapies.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is not medical advice. There is no known medical cure for topical steroid withdrawal, but there are collective methods to manage the symptom and inflammation during the withdrawal period. It should not be mistaken that all usage of steroid creams will cause topical steroid withdrawal. More clinical research is required to understand the cause of Topical Steroid Withdrawal within an individual.
