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Clobex and Breastfeeding
If you are nursing, consult your healthcare provider before using Clobex (clobetasol propionate). It is unknown if this drug passes through breast milk. However, because this medicine is applied to the skin, it is not expected that large amounts would be passed to a nursing baby. If you are breastfeeding, avoid putting Clobex on an area that would directly expose the baby to the drug.
Clobex® (clobetasol propionate) is a skin medication used to treat various skin conditions. At this time, it is unknown if Clobex passes through breast milk in humans. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding a child, you should talk with your healthcare provider about using Clobex.
No research has been done to see if Clobex passes through breast milk. However, other similar steroids are known to pass through. Fortunately, even when steroids are taken by mouth or by injection, only very small amounts pass through breast milk. This implies that use of steroids on the skin would probably result in very tiny amounts (if any) passing through breast milk, although this is not known for sure.
Direct skin-to-skin contact with areas where the cream has been applied should be avoided to prevent exposing the baby to the cream by skin transfer. Also, avoid applying it near or on the nipple; if this is not possible, be sure to completely remove the medication before the baby nurses.
Since Clobex usually works great for quickly relieving skin inflammation, some mothers wonder if they could use it on a stubborn diaper rash. Never use Clobex to treat diaper rash. This medication is too potent for small children, who have a higher risk for serious Clobex side effects.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD