Tenovate

Tenovate (Clobetasol Propionate) is a very active topical corticosteroid which is of particular value when used in short courses for conditions which do not respond satisfactorily to less active steroids. This cream is used to treat psoriasis and eczema.

Apply Tenovate (Clobetasol Propionate) sparingly to the affected area once or twice daily until improvement occurs. As with other highly active topical steroid preparations, therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved. In the more responsive conditions this may be within a few days. If no improvement is seen within two to four weeks, reassessment of the diagnosis, or referral, may be necessary.

Prolonged and intensive treatment with a highly active corticosteroid preparation may cause local atrophic changes in the skin such as thinning, striae and dilatation of the superficial blood vessels, particularly when occlusive dressings are used or when skin folds are involved. There have been reports of pigmentation changes and hypertrichosis with topical steroids. Tenovate (Clobetasol Propionate) is usually well tolerated, but if signs of hypersensitivity appear, application should be stopped immediately.

Long-term continuous topical therapy should be avoided where possible, particularly in infants and children. If used in childhood or on the face, courses should be limited if possible to five days and occlusion should not be used. The face, more than other areas of the body, may exhibit atrophic changes after prolonged treatment with potent topical corticosteroids. This must be borne in mind when treating such conditions as psoriasis, discoid lupus erythematosus and severe eczema.

If Tenovate (Clobetasol Propionate) is applied to the eyelids, care is needed to ensure that the preparation does not enter the eye, as glaucoma or cataract might result. Topical corticosteroids may be hazardous in psoriasis for a number of reasons including rebound relapses, development of tolerance, risk of generalised pustular psoriasis and development of local or systemic toxicity due to impaired barrier function of the skin. If used in psoriasis careful patient supervision is important. If you are pregnant do not use without first discussing with your doctor.