Risk Summary
There are no available data on clobetasol propionate spray use in pregnant women to identify a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
Observational studies suggest an increased risk of low birthweight in infants with the maternal use of potent or very potent topical corticosteroids (see Data). Advise pregnant women that clobetasol propionate spray may increase the risk of having a low birth weight infant and to use clobetasol propionate spray on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible.
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with clobetasol propionate spray. In an animal reproduction study, subcutaneous administration of clobetasol propionate to pregnant rats at doses greater than 12.5 mcg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis caused an increase in malformations (increased incidence of umbilical hernia) [see Data]. The available data do not allow calculation of relevant comparisons between the systemic exposure of clobetasol propionate in animal studies to the systemic exposure that would be expected in humans after topical use of clobetasol propionate spray.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Data
Human Data
Available observational studies in pregnant women did not identify a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, preterm delivery, or fetal mortality with the use of topical corticosteroids of any potency. However, when the dispensed amount of potent or very potent topical corticosteroids exceeded 300 g during the entire pregnancy, maternal use was associated with an increased risk of low birth weight in infants.
Animal Data
Clobetasol propionate is absorbed percutaneously, and when administered subcutaneously it caused malformations in both the rabbit and the mouse.
Clobetasol propionate has greater potential for adverse developmental effects than steroids that are less potent.
The effect of clobetasol propionate on pregnancy outcome and development of offspring was studied in the rat. Clobetasol propionate was administered subcutaneously to female rats twice daily (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 mcg/kg/day) from day 7 of presumed gestation through day 25 of lactation or day 24 presumed gestation for those rats that did not deliver a litter. The maternal no observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for clobetasol propionate was less than 12.5 mcg/kg/day due to reduced body weight gain and feed consumption during the gestation period. The reproductive NOAEL in the dams was 25 mcg/kg/day based on prolonged delivery at 50 mcg/kg/day. The NOAEL for viability and growth in the offspring was 12.5 mcg/kg/day based on incidence of stillbirths, reductions in pup body weights on days 1 and 7 of lactation, increased pup mortality, increases in the incidence of umbilical hernia, and increases in the incidence of pups with cysts on the kidney at higher dose levels during the preweaning period. The weights of the epididymides and testes were significantly reduced at higher dosages. Despite these changes, there were no effects on the mating and fertility of the offspring.