Also indexed as: Aclometasone Topical, Aclovate Topical,
Aeroseb-Dex Topical, Alclometasone, Aristocort Topical, Beclomethasone, Betamethasone Topical,
Clobetasol, Clobetasol Topical, Clobetasone, Clocortolone Pivalate Topical, Cloderm Topical,
Cortaid Topical, Cortef Topical, Cortizone Topical, Cortone Topical, Cutivate Topical,
Decadron Topical, Decaspray Topical, Derma-Smoothe/FS Topical, Desoximetasone Topical,
Desoxymethasone, Dexamethasone Topical, Diflucortolone, Diprolene Topical, Elocon Topical,
Florone Topical, Fludroxycortide, Fluocinolone, Fluocinolone Topical, Fluocinonide,
Fluocortolone, Fluonid Topical, Flurandrenolone, Fluticasone Topical, FS Shampoo, Halcinonide,
Hydrocortisone Topical, Hytone Topical, Kenalog Topical, Locoid Topical, Luxiq Topical,
Maxiflor Topical, Maxivate Topical, Mometasone Topical, Pandel Topical, Proctocort Topical,
Psorcon Topical, Synelar Topical, Synemol Topical, Temovate Topical, Topicort Topical,
Triamcinolone, Triamcinolone Topical, Westcort Topical
Corticosteroids are applied to the skin to treat mild to severe inflammation and itching
resulting from conditions such as insect bites, allergic reactions, diaper rash, eczema, and psoriasis. They are combined with antibiotics to treat ear infections, eye infections, and skin infections
caused by bacteria. They are also combined with antifungal agents to treat fungal and yeast
infections of the ear and skin.
The information in this article pertains to topical corticosteroids in general. The
interactions reported here may not apply to all the Also Indexed As terms. Talk to your doctor
or pharmacist if you are taking any of these drugs.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Supportive
interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication
work better. |
Biotin* (Clobetasol)
Licorice
Zinc* (Clobetasol)
|
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of
these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. |
Aloe
|
| Depletion or interference |
None known
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Adverse interaction |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Zinc and Biotin
Children with alopecia areata who supplemented 100 mg of zinc and 20 mg biotin each day,
combined with topical clobetasol, showed more improvement compared to children who took oral
corticosteroid drugs.1 Controlled research is needed to determine whether adding
oral zinc and biotin to topical clobetasol therapy is more effective than clobetasol alone.
However, until more information is available, caregivers should consider that children with
alopecia who are currently taking oral corticosteroids might benefit from switching to
supplements of zinc and biotin along with topical clobetasol.
Interactions with Herbs
Aloe
(Aloe vera)
In animal research, applying aloe gel topically along with a topical corticosteroid enhanced
the hormone’s anti-inflammatory activity in the skin.2 No human research has
investigated this effect.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
When applied to the skin, glycyrrhetinic acid (a chemical found in licorice) increases the
activity of hydrocortisone.3 This effect might allow for less hydrocortisone to be
used when combined with glycyrrhetinic acid, but further study is needed to test this
possibility.4
References:1. Camacho FM, Garcia-Hernandez MJ. Zinc aspartate, biotin, and
clobetasol propionate in the treatment of alopecia areata in childhood. Pediatr
Dermatol 1999;16:336–8 [letter].
2. Davis RH, Parker WL, Murdoch DP. Aloe vera as a biologically
active vehicle for hydrocortisone acetate. J Am Podiatric Med Assoc
1991;81:1–9.
3. Teelucksingh S, Mackie ADR, Burt D, et al. Potentiation of
hydrocortisone activity in skin by glycyrrhetinic acid. Lancet
1990;335:1060–3.
4. Chen MF, Shimada F, Kato H, et al. Effect of glycyrrhizin on the
pharmacokinetics of prednisolone following low dosage of prednisolone hemisuccinate.
Endocrinol Japon 1990;37:331–41.