Clobetasone butyrate with nystatin and oxytetracycline
Brand names: Trimovate
A topical preparation combining the moderately potent corticosteroid clobetasone butyrate with the antifungal nystatin and the tetracycline antibacterial oxytetracycline, used for short-term treatment of eczema and inflammatory dermatoses where secondary bacterial and candidal infection is present.
Adult dose
Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to clobetasone butyrate, nystatin, oxytetracycline or any component of the formulation
- Primary cutaneous viral infections
- Primary infected skin lesions caused by fungi, bacteria or yeasts
- Cutaneous infections caused by Acinetobacter species, MRSA, Pseudomonas species, Proteus species, Serratia species or Streptococcus B
- Rosacea
- Acne vulgaris
- Pruritus without inflammation
- Perioral dermatitis
Side effects
- Telangiectasia (common or very common)
- Skin atrophy/skin thinning, pigmentation changes, local skin burning/pain, pruritus, erythema, rash, hypertrichosis, photosensitivity reaction (frequency not known)
- Allergic contact dermatitis/dermatitis, urticaria (frequency not known)
- Withdrawal reactions - redness that may extend beyond the originally affected area, burning or stinging, itch, skin peeling, oozing pustules
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushingoid features, delayed weight gain/growth retardation in children, hyperglycaemia/glucosuria, glaucoma, cataract, osteoporosis, hypertension
- Opportunistic infection; hypersensitivity; blurred vision; application site pain/reaction
Clinical monograph
How it works
Clobetasone butyrate exerts topical anti-inflammatory action through glucocorticoid receptors, oxytetracycline inhibits bacterial protein synthesis to provide broad antibacterial cover, and nystatin binds fungal ergosterol to kill Candida.
Prescribing in practice
- This is a short-term treatment for infected inflammatory skin conditions; prolonged or extensive use risks corticosteroid skin atrophy and promotes antibacterial resistance and sensitisation.
- The preparation may stain skin, clothing and bedding, which should be anticipated.
- Avoid the face where possible and do not use on untreated extensive bacterial or viral skin infection without the appropriate antimicrobial cover.
Monitoring
Review the affected skin clinically for response and local steroid effects, and discontinue if there is no improvement.
Counselling the patient
- Apply a thin layer to the affected area as directed and only for the period advised.
- Be aware the cream or ointment may stain fabrics.
- Seek advice if the skin does not improve or becomes more irritated.
Evidence & guidelines
Moderate-potency steroid-antimicrobial combinations are intended for short courses in infected eczema; topical antibiotic use should follow antimicrobial stewardship principles.
Reference: Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Steroid Dose Equivalence · Medications
- Adrenal Crisis Risk Score · Adrenal Disorders
- Lille Model (Steroid Response in Alcoholic Hepatitis) · Alcoholic Liver Disease
- Ho Index for Predicting Response to Medical Therapy in IBD · Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Steroid Conversion Calculator · Drug Dosing
- FAST Exam Protocol — Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma · Trauma
- Suspicious Pigmented Lesion — Melanoma Pathway · NICE NG14 2015 / BAD
- Cellulitis and Erysipelas · NICE NG141 2019 / CREST
- Psoriasis — Severity Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG153 2019 / BAD
- Atopic Eczema — Assessment and Step-Up Therapy · NICE NG95 2023
- Urticaria and Angioedema · BSACI / EAACI Guidelines 2022
- Acne Vulgaris — Grading and Treatment · NICE NG198 2021 / BAD