Clocortolone pivalate is a synthetic corticosteroid that is used to treat a variety of skin conditions. Corticosteroids are hormones that are produced naturally by the adrenal gland. Clocortolone pivalate works by reducing inflammation and itching of the skin.
What is Clocortolone pivalate used for?
Clocortolone pivalate is used to treat a variety of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Clocortolone pivalate should be applied to the affected area of skin twice daily. It is important to use as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use more or less of it, and do not apply it more often than prescribed.
Clocortolone pivalate is also available as a cream, lotion, and ointment.
Clocortolone pivalate brand names
Clocortolone pivalate is the generic name of the drug. Below are the list of brand names used for this topical steroid:
United States:
- Cilder, Cloderm, Purantix
Which body parts should be avoided when using Clocortolone pivalate?
This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. Rinse it off right away if it does get on these areas. This medicine should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating. Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions.
How long does Clocortolone pivalate stay in your system?
The amount of time that Clocortolone pivalate 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 Clocortolone pivalate can stay in your system for long periods of time, possibly for up to a few weeks. Clocortolone pivalate is not recommended for long term use. More research is required about the half-life of Clocortolone pivalate and how long it stays in your system.
According to the NHS, for people who use Clocortolone pivalate 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 Clocortolone pivalate?
According to Mayo Clinic, use of clocortolone pivalate may or may not cause side effects. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
- Backache
- blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- blurred or changes in vision
- bulging soft spot on head of an infant
- burning, itching, and pain in the hairy areas, pus at the root of the hair
- burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
- confusion
- facial hair growth in females
- fractures
- full or round face, neck, or trunk
- headache
- increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
- increased hunger or thirst
- increased pressure in the head
- increased urination
- irritability
- lightening of the normal skin color
- lightening of treated areas of the dark skin
- loss of sexual desire or ability
- menstrual irregularities
- muscle wasting
- severe nausea or vomiting
- severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- softening of the skin
- thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (eg, between the fingers)
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Why does my skin burn when I apply Clocortolone pivalate to my skin?
If your skin burns after applying Clocortolone pivalate to your skin, you may have an allergic reaction to the steroid cream and your skin cannot tolerate it. Clocortolone pivalate also contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause acute allergic reactions.
How do I taper down from using Clocortolone pivalate?
To taper down from using Clocortolone pivalate 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 Clocortolone pivalate?
Clocortolone pivalate is a medium-strength topical steroid. Weaker topical steroids down the list are the following:
- Hydrocortisone butyrate
- Hydrocortisone probutate
- Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2%
- Prednicarbate
- Alclometasone dipropionate
- Desonide 0.05%
- Hydrocortisone 0.5% – 2.5%
- Hydrocortisone
Which steroid creams are stronger than Clocortolone pivalate?
Since clocortolone pivalate is a medium-strength topicals teroid, there are stronger topical steroids available and here are the following:
- Augmented betamethasone dipropionate
- Clobetasol propionate
- Desoximetasone
- Augmented diflorasone diacetate
- Diflorasone diacetate
- Fluocinonide
- Flurandrenolide 4 mcg/cm2
- Halobetasol propionate
- Amcinonide
- Betamethasone dipropionate
- Desoximetasone
- Halcinonide
- Mometasone furoate
- Fluticasone propionate
- Triamcinolone acetonide 0.5%
- Betamethasone valerate
- Fluocinolone acetonide
- Flurandrenolide
- Hydrocortisone valerate
- Triamcinolone acetonide
- Betamethasone valerate 0.1%
What happens when you use Clocortolone pivalate too often?
If you use Clocortolone pivalate too frequently or for an extended period of time, tolerance or tachyphylaxis to that potency level of steroid cream may develop. Clocortolone pivalate 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 Clocortolone pivalate cause topical steroid withdrawal?
More research is required to understand the complexity of Topical Steroid Withdrawal and its specific connection to Clocortolone pivalate. Clocortolone pivalate 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 Clocortolone pivalate) 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.
