Patient leaflet - Etrivex 500 micrograms / g shampoo
1. What Etrivex shampoo is and what it is used for
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 strong corticosteroid. Your healthcare professional will prescribe or advise a steroid of the appropriate potency for your condition.
2. What you need to know before you use Etrivex shampoo
Do not use Etrivex shampoo
if you are allergic to clobetasol propionate or any of the other ingredients
of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you answer yes, you must inform your doctor before starting treatment.
If you have bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic skin infections such as cold
sores, varicella (chicken pox), herpes zoster (shingles), impetigo (type of rash on the face), ringworm, athletes foot, thrush, skin tuberculosis or skin disease caused by syphilis.
- If you have ulcerous wounds (weeping wounds) on your scalp
- In children under two years old
Do not apply Etrivex shampoo in the eyes or on eyelids (risk of glaucoma
which is high pressure in the eye and risk of cataract which is a clouding of the lens in the eye).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Etrivex shampoo if: - you use other oral/topical medication containing corticosteroids or
medication intended to control your immune system (e.g. for autoimmune disease or after a transplantation). Combining Etrivex shampoo with these medicines may result in serious infections.
Take special care with Etrivex shampoo
When using Etrivex shampoo, it must only be used on the scalp, do not
use it as a regular shampoo or on other areas of the body and do not use Etrivex shampoo as a shower gel, body wash or bath foam. - When treating the scalp with Etrivex shampoo you must not cover the
area being treated, for example: a shower cap must not be used as it may make the active substance pass through the skin and affect the other parts of the body.
When using Etrivex shampoo, avoid contact with the face, eyelids, axillae
(armpits), erosive skin (chapped skin) surface and genital regions. Rinse off immediately with water if any product runs from the scalp. - If you get Etrivex shampoo in your eye(s), wash the affected eye
thoroughly with water. If any irritation persists, please seek advice from your doctor.
- If you do not notice an improvement of your scalp psoriasis, please see your doctor.
- Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience newly developed bone pain or worsening of previous bone symptoms during a treatment with Etrivex shampoo, especially if you have been using Etrivex shampoo for a prolonged time or repeatedly.
Children and adolescents
If this product has been prescribed for a child or adolescent below
18 years of age, you must check with your doctor every week before continuing to use this product.
Other medicines and Etrivex shampoo
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Etrivex shampoo has no or very little influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Etrivex shampoo contains ethanol
This medicine contains 100 mg alcohol (ethanol) in each gram which is equivalent to 10% w/w. It may cause burning sensation on damaged skin.
3. How to use Etrivex shampoo
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.
Use in children and adolescents
If this product has been prescribed for children or adolescents between the ages of 2 and 18 years, the instructions given by your doctor must be followed. You must check with the doctor every week before continuing treatment.
If you use more Etrivex shampoo than you should
If you have used Etrivex shampoo for much longer than you should, please see your doctor. This product is for use on the scalp only. Do not swallow it. If you accidentally do so, small amounts are not harmful. If you are not sure, seek immediate medical advice.
If you forget to use Etrivex shampoo
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Go back to your regular schedule. If you miss several doses, tell your doctor.
If you stop using Etrivex shampoo
If you stop using Etrivex shampoo, please see your doctor. It may be that worsening of the disease occurs when treatment with Etrivex shampoo is stopped, especially if it has been used for a long time. Tell your doctor if you observe such a worsening of your scalp psoriasis conditions.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
(clobetasol propionate)
Etrivex® 500 micrograms/g shampoo
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE PATIENT UK0000000P99-A1.0
4. Possible side effects
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.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Yellow Card Scheme https://www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
5. How to store Etrivex shampoo
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
- Store in the original container in order to protect from light.
Do not use Etrivex Shampoo after the expiry date which is stated on the
bottle and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Discard the bottle 6 months after first opening.
- If the medicine becomes discoloured or shows any other signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Etrivex shampoo contains:
The active substance is clobetasol propionate. Each gram (millilitre)
of Etrivex shampoo contains 500 micrograms of the active ingredient Clobetasol propionate.
- The other ingredients are: ethanol, coco alkyl dimethyl betaine, sodium laureth sulfate, polyquaternium-10, sodium citrate, citric acid monohydrate and purified water.
What Etrivex shampoo looks like and contents of the pack:
Etrivex shampoo is a thick, semi transparent liquid shampoo with an alcoholic smell that is colourless to pale yellow in appearance. Etrivex shampoo is available on prescription from your doctor in white high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bottles of 125 ml fitted with polypropylene snap closure. Bottles contains 125 ml of shampoo.
Manufacturer
This product is manufactured by Laboratoires Galderma, Zone Industrielle-Montdesir, 74540, Alby-Sur-Cheran, France
Procured from within the EU and repackaged for the PL Holder:
Abacus Medicine Ltd., Abbey House, 282 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, GU14 7NA, United Kingdom.
PL 45763/1559
POM
Etrivex® is a registered trademark of Galderma Holding SA
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Product Licence Holder:
Abacus Medicine Ltd.
tel: +44(0)2036301244
email: MedInfo@abacusmedicine.co.uk
or
drugsafetyuk@abacusmedicine.co.uk
Leaflet revision date: 13.02.2026.
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