Etrivex 500 micrograms/g Shampoo

Etrivex 500 micrograms/g shampoo

Clobetasol propionate

Etrivex shampoo contains the active substance called clobetasol propionate; it belongs to a group of medicines called topical corticosteroids (or steroids). "Topical" means that it should only be applied to the surface of the skin. Topical steroids reduce the redness, itchiness and inflammation associated with skin conditions.

Scalp psoriasis is caused by the skin cells of your scalp being produced too quickly. Etrivex shampoo is used to treat scalp psoriasis of moderate intensity in adults.

Corticosteroid creams, ointments and other topical preparations come in four different potencies or strengths. These are known as mild, moderately potent, potent or very potent. Healthcare professionals will usually refer to topical corticosteroid potency rather than strength. A potent or strong corticosteroid has a much stronger effect than a mild corticosteroid when using the same amount. The percentage of active ingredient that is sometimes included on product packaging does not indicate potency. Clobetasol propionate is classed as a very strong corticosteroid. Your healthcare professional will prescribe or advise a steroid of the appropriate potency for your condition.

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The usual daily dose per application is an amount equivalent to around a half tablespoon (around 7.5 ml) sufficient to cover the entire scalp.

Unless your doctor has instructed otherwise, wash your hands and apply Etrivex shampoo directly to your dry scalp once daily taking care to well cover and massage the affected areas. Avoid using large amounts of Etrivex shampoo, only use enough to cover your scalp when dry. Wash your hands carefully after application. Leave the product to work for 15 minutes without covering, and then add water, rinse and dry your hair as usual. Your regular shampoo can be used if more shampoo is required to wash your hair. Do not add more of Etrivex shampoo to your hair.

Your doctor will tell you how long you need to use Etrivex shampoo to control your scalp psoriasis. Treatment should not continue for more than 4 weeks. However, if your scalp psoriasis is significantly improved before the end of treatment, please see your doctor. On the contrary, if no improvement is seen by the end of the treatment, please tell your doctor. This treatment needs careful supervision; you should let your doctor review your progress at regular intervals. Do not use Etrivex shampoo for longer than your doctor tells you.

Nonetheless, your doctor may ask you to use Etrivex shampoo again in the future following a period of no use.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Etrivex shampoo may cause the following side effects

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

• Skin burning sensation
• Inflammation of one or more hair follicles

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Endocrine disorders (such as adrenal suppression, Cushing syndrome) have been observed with potent topical steroids, especially when applied on large surface areas or used for prolonged periods
• Eye stinging or burning
• Eye irritation
• Ocular tight sensation
• Glaucoma
• Hypersensitivity
• Headache
• Pain of skin
• Skin discomfort
• Itching
• Acne
• Skin oedema
• Telangiectasia (veins under the surface of your skin may becoming more noticeable)
• Psoriasis aggravation
• Hair loss
• Dryness of the skin
• Urticaria
• Skin atrophy (thinning of your skin)
• Skin irritation
• Skin tightness
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Erythema
• Rash

Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

• Blurred vision

Irritation, itching, urticaria, visible small vessels or thinning skin around the treated areas are generally of a mild to moderate nature.

• If you have any signs of local intolerance, such as a burning sensation or redness to the areas that have been treated, do not use Etrivex shampoo until these symptoms have disappeared.
• Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor as soon as possible if you find your condition gets worse during treatment (this is more likely to happen if you have been using Etrivex shampoo longer than prescribed) or if you experience swelling of the eyelids, face or lips as you may be allergic to the product or have a skin infection.
• Using large amounts or keeping the product on the scalp for more than 15 minutes may:
  • cause the skin to become thinner so that it can damage more easily
  • allow the active substance to pass through the skin; this can affect other parts of the body, especially in children, and during pregnancy.
• Repeated courses of topical steroids over a long time may also sometimes cause pustular eruptions (big pimples) and changes in hair growth and skin colour. Striae (stretch marks) and purpura (bruising) may become noticeable
• If you have rosacea (facial erythema associated with flushing of the skin, and possible papulopustules) the application of Etrivex shampoo on the face may cause your skin condition to worsen.
• Application of Etrivex shampoo on the face may induce perioral dermatitis (spotty red rash around the mouth).
• Application of Etrivex shampoo to the skin may cause thinning of skin and therefore it should never be used on the face or on other areas of the skin than the scalp.
• In order to avoid interaction with hair colour dying product, such as hair colour changes, Etrivex shampoo should be thoroughly rinsed.
• If you have any unusual discomfort that you do not understand, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle and the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Store in the original plastic bottle in order to protect from light.

Discard the bottle 6 months after first opening.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

This medicine is authorised in the Member States of the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) under the following names:

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland), Italy, Ireland and Portugal: Etrivex 500 micrograms/g shampoo

France, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Hungary, The Netherlands, Malta, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Iceland, Czech Republic, Norway, Greece, Slovakia and Finland: Clobex 500 micrograms/g shampoo