Eumovate is a type of steroid medicine used to treat the symptoms of skin problems such as itching, redness, swelling and skin irritation. It contains the active ingredient clobetasone butyrate.

Eumovate is the brand name of the medicine, which can come as a cream or ointment. It is commonly used to treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, heat rash and contact dermatitis.

Your doctor may prescribe either Eumovate cream or Eumovate ointment, depending on your symptoms.

Generally, Eumovate cream can be used for weepy or moist skin surfaces, while Eumovate ointment is thicker and greasier, making it more appropriate for dry, flaky skin patches.

Eumovate cream contains the steroid clobetasone, which works by reducing the symptoms of inflammation on the skin.

How does Eumovate work on eczema?

Eumovate contains a type of steroid medicine that acts on your body’s cells to stop any inflammatory substances from being released. This helps to reduce the symptoms of itching, swelling and redness on your skin.

Your body releases inflammatory substances when exposed to something you are allergic to, or something that irritates your skin. The inflammatory substances travel to the blood vessels close to your skin and cause the affected area to be itchy, red, swollen, or painful.

How long does Eumovate cream take to work?

Your symptoms should start improving after a few days of using Eumovate cream. With some long term skin conditions (psoriasis or eczema), you may have to use Eumovate for longer periods of time under a doctor’s supervision.

If there is no change to your symptoms after using Eumovate for 7 days, or if your symptoms become worse, speak to your doctor.

How long does Eumovate cream last?

The length of time you need to use Eumovate for, and how much of it you need to use each time, will clarify how long your Eumovate cream will last.

Eumovate is usually applied on the affected area twice daily, leaving at least 8 to 12 hours between applications. An adult size fingertip is used to measure each application of Eumovate cream. For large areas like your back, you may need to use up to 7 fingertip units for each application.

You should not use your Eumovate cream past the expiry date on the packaging. You can take the remaining cream to your local pharmacy to help you dispose of it.

How strong is Eumovate cream?

Eumovate cream contains 0.05% clobetasone butyrate which means about 5mg of clobetasone butyrate steroid is in every 10g of Eumovate cream.

Clobetasone butyrate, the active ingredient in Eumovate cream, is classed as a moderately potent topical steroid. It is stronger than mild topical steroid creams like 1% hydrocortisone cream, but there are other more potent topical steroid creams, like 0.5% clobetasol cream.

You should apply Eumovate up to twice daily, only on your skin. You should not use it for long periods of time, like weeks or months, unless your doctor tells you to.

If your skin condition worsens or does not improve after using Eumovate for 7 days, speak to your doctor. You can apply Eumovate cream in the following steps:

1. Wash your hands first
2. Measure and apply Eumovate cream using adult size fingertip units. The patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine contains information about how many fingertip units to apply depending on the affected area (for example, 7 fingertip units for the back area)
3. Apply a thin layer of cream on the affected area and rub gently into the skin till the cream disappears
4. Do not apply the cream on broken or cut skin
5. Wash your hands after each application unless you need to apply the cream on your hands

If you are using other creams or ointments like moisturisers, wait at least 30 minutes after applying Eumovate cream, before applying other creams.

Can you use Eumovate on your face?

Do not apply Eumovate cream on your face unless your doctor tells you to.

Eumovate cream contains steroids which can cause the skin to thin and bruise easily when used over time. The skin on your face is naturally thinner and more delicate than other parts of your body so using steroid creams on your face may cause damage to your skin easily.

How often can you use Eumovate cream?

Eumovate cream should be applied on the affected area twice daily, leaving at least 8 to 12 hours between applications.

How long can you use Eumovate cream for?

The length of time you use Eumovate cream will depend on your skin condition or if your doctor asks you to use it for longer, under supervision.

Most people apply Eumovate cream twice daily for a week to treat their symptoms.

What happens if you stop using Eumovate?

If you have been using Eumovate cream regularly for a long period, you should speak to your doctor before you stop using it even if your symptoms have improved.

If you stop using Eumovate cream suddenly after using it regularly for a while, your condition may get worse.

You can buy Eumovate cream online from UK regulated pharmacies like Superdrug Online Doctor. You just need to complete a brief medical form for our doctors to review and check it is suitable to treat your skin condition.

How much is Eumovate cream?

You can buy 15g of Eumovate cream for £7.39.

Can I buy Eumovate cream over the counter?

Yes, you can buy small packs of Eumovate cream from pharmacies or supermarkets without a prescription, to treat some skin conditions, like heat rash.

If you need to use Eumovate cream for longer than 7 days, you can get it on prescription from your doctor who will also supervise your treatment over time.

Some people may experience side effects when using Eumovate cream, but not everyone gets them.

Some side effects like burning or stinging where the cream is applied, usually go away after a few days.

Some side effects of using Eumovate cream may include:

• a feeling of burning or irritation where the cream is applied
• red, itchy or bumpy skin
• increased chance of having skin infections
• changes in skin colour
• cloudy vision (cataracts)
• thinning of the skin, making the skin bruise easily

You should stop using Eumovate cream if you have signs of an allergic reaction like:

• wheezing
• difficulty breathing
• tightness in your chest
• swollen face, lips, mouth or tongue
• blistered, red, painful and swollen skin

The full list of Eumovate side effects and cautions is in the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

What should I do if I get side effects?

You should speak to your doctor if you have any side effects when using Eumovate cream, even if they are not listed in the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

Eumovate cream may not be suitable for everyone, especially people who have a history of an allergic reaction to steroids.

Tell your doctor before using Eumovate if you have:

• an eye infection
• ever had an allergic reaction to any steroid medicine
• acne or rosacea
• itchy skin that is not red or inflamed
• broken skin or cuts or leg ulcers
• skin infection

Can you use Eumovate cream when pregnant?

If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding, speak to your doctor for advice about using Eumovate cream.

Eumovate cream drug interactions

Most medicines do not interact with Eumovate cream but you should tell your doctor if you are taking:

• ritonavir for treating hiv infection
• itraconazole for treating fungal infections

There are alternative treatments other than Eumovate cream, for skin conditions like eczema. Depending on how severe the eczema is and where the affected areas are, topical steroids in different strengths are usually prescribed as eczema treatments.

Some examples of topical steroid prescription treatments for eczema are:

• mild corticosteroids like hydrocortisone creams
• moderate corticosteroids like clobetasone
• strong corticosteroids like betamethasone
• very strong corticosteroids like clobetasol

Some non-prescription eczema treatments may include:

• emollients
• antihistamines

You can also help prevent eczema flare ups by avoiding known triggers like certain clothing materials, heat, some food types, certain detergents or soaps.

Hydrocortisone or Eumovate?

Eumovate cream contains clobetasone which is a stronger topical corticosteroid than hydrocortisone, a mild topical corticosteroid.

The severity of your skin condition, and which areas of your body are affected, usually decides which treatment may be more suitable. Your doctor or pharmacist would be able to advise you on which treatment to use and for how long you will need to use the treatment.