Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Clobetasol Propionate? Is Clobetasol Propionate safe for nursing mother and child? Does Clobetasol Propionate extracts into breast milk? Does Clobetasol Propionate has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Clobetasol Propionate influence milk supply or can Clobetasol Propionate decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Clobetasol Propionate lactation summary

Clobetasol Propionate is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Clobetasol Propionate is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Clobetasol Propionate is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Clobetasol Propionate does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Clobetasol Propionate safe in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Clobetasol Propionate usage in lactation

Topical corticosteroid with a very high strength. At latest update it was not found published data on excretion into breast milk.The small dose and poor absorption into plasma of most topical dermatological preparations make it unlikely any passage of significant amount in the breast milk. If required to treat eczema or dermatitis of the nipple, it should be chosen lower strength steroids, apply it just after finishing the meal to let it be absorbed before the next meal, if necessary remove any excess with a gauze and avoid using it continuously for longer than a week. Steroidal poisoning has occurred in an infant by continuous application of a corticosteroid in the nipple. Avoid applying creams, gels and other products for local application on the nipple that contain paraffin (mineral oil) so that the baby does not absorb it.

Answer by DrLact: About Clobetasol Propionate usage in lactation

Clobetasol has not been studied during breastfeeding. Since only extensive application of the most potent corticosteroids may cause systemic effects in the mother, it is unlikely that short-term application of topical corticosteroids would pose a risk to the breastfed infant by passage into breastmilk. However, it would be prudent to use the least potent drug on the smallest area of skin possible. It is particularly important to ensure that the infant's skin does not come into direct contact with the areas of skin that have been treated. Only the lower potency corticosteroids should be used on the nipple or areola where the infant could directly ingest the drugs from the skin; clobetasol should be avoided on the nipple.[1] Only water-miscible cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the infant to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.[2] Any topical corticosteroid should be wiped off thoroughly prior to nursing if it is being applied to the breast or nipple area.

Clobetasol Propionate Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Topical application of a corticosteroid with relatively high mineralocorticoid activity (isofluprednone acetate) to the mother's nipples resulted in prolonged QT interval, cushingoid appearance, severe hypertension, decreased growth and electrolyte abnormalities in her 2-month-old breastfed infant. The mother had used the cream since birth for painful nipples.[3] A woman who was nursing (extent not stated) her newborn infant was treated for pemphigus with oral prednisolone 25 mg daily, with the dosage increased over 2 weeks to 60 mg daily. She was also taking cetirizine 10 mg daily and topical betamethasone 0.1% twice daily to the lesions. Because of a poor response, the betamethasone was changed to clobetasol propionate ointment 0.05%. She continued breastfeeding throughout treatment and her infant was developing normally at 8 weeks of age and beyond.[4]
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