UK new labelling for topical steroid

[Fred]

The British government will be bringing in new labelling for topical steroids.

Quote:

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Topical steroids are highly effective for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, when prescribed and used appropriately. They are available in different potencies:

• mildly potent (for example, hydrocortisone)
  
• moderately potent (for example, clobetasone)
  
• potent (for example, betamethasone)
  
• very potent (for example, clobetasol)
  

The lowest potency topical steroid for effective treatment should be used and this may mean using different potency products for different body areas.

Over the coming year, topical steroids will be labelled with their potencies to aid correct selection and to simplify the advice to patients requiring multiple steroid products of differing potencies. These will be labelled ‘mild steroid’, ‘moderate steroid’, ‘strong steroid’, and ‘very strong steroid’.

Adverse reactions have been reported following long-term (generally 6 months or more) use of moderate or stronger potency topical steroids.

In psoriasis, use of large quantities of topical steroids is associated with a risk of more severe disease such as generalised pustular psoriasis.

Source: gov.uk

[Kat]

I like that personally. It helps to know how strong something is that you are using and the care that might be needed regarding long term use.

[Fred]

I like that personally.  It helps to know how strong something is that you are using and the care that might be needed regarding long term use.

Yes when I lived in the UK I just kept getting repeat prescriptions of Dovobet without having to visit a doctor

[mataribot]

Sounds like to me they hand this stuff out like it’s candy.

[Fred]

Sounds like to me they hand this stuff out like it’s candy.

They don't in France, I do get a one year prescription for diprosone with the words "as I want it" but that's because my dermatologist knows I only use a small amount and wouldn't be stupid with it.

But when I lived in the UK I just phoned the doctors secretary and they gave me a new prescription whenever I asked for one, I think it was around 4 years before I had to see a doctor about something else when he told me not to use so much.

[Trampledrosie]

Wow. I knew steroids aren’t good especially in large doses over extended periods and to not use too much but had no idea they were associated with GPP!

[Trampledrosie]

I wonder if that is what’s happening to me?! I had had “psoriasis” for about 2 years and had been using various steroid creams before I got a sensible dermatologist to do a biopsy which came back as pustular psoriasis. It’s been almost another 2 years and I’m still using steroid creams. I’m talking trials of clobetasol, mometasone, Duobrii, tazorac, dovonex, betaderm, fucidin, possibly others I have forgotten. Jesus.

[Kat]

Long term steroid use can be problematic.  There's TSW (topical steroid withdrawal)  Here's a little info on it:

TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal)

Also, RSS (Red Skin Syndrome)

I asked my current dermatologist, as she has me on Clobetasol as needed, when to stop using it and she said that where my plagues are worse the skin is thickened and as long as it was raised like that she wasn't concerned about me using it as long as I only used when needed.  The prescription reads to use twice daily or as needed to itchy/flaky areas on the scalp can use solution until even with normal skin....

But I'd be the one to suffer so although I do use it, I use it about twice (or a bit more at times) a week!

[Trampledrosie]

Long term steroid use can be problematic.  There's TSW (topical steroid withdrawal)  Here's a little info on it:

TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal)

Also, RSS (Red Skin Syndrome)

I asked my current dermatologist, as she has me on Clobetasol as needed, when to stop using it and she said that where my plagues are worse the skin is thickened and as long as it was raised like that she wasn't concerned about me using it as long as I only used when needed.  The prescription reads to use twice daily or as needed to itchy/flaky areas on the scalp can use solution until even with normal skin....

But I'd be the one to suffer so although I do use it, I use it about twice (or a bit more at times) a week!

Thanks! Looking into this for sure.