Clobetasol Cream in Spain: Clovate and What It Treats
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
Clovate is clobetasol cream, the strongest skin steroid, for stubborn eczema and psoriasis. Prescription rules in Spain and where not to use it.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
Clovate is the Spanish brand of clobetasol cream. Clobetasol propionate is the strongest type of steroid you can put on the skin. Doctors use it for stubborn eczema, psoriasis and lichen planus when milder creams have not worked. It is meant for short courses on small areas. In Spain it needs a prescription.
- Clovate (clobetasol propionate) is a very potent steroid for the skin, the top strength group.
- It treats hard-to-control eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus and discoid lupus.
- It needs a prescription in Spain. In the UK the same medicine is sold as Dermovate.
- Not for the face, skin folds or under a dressing unless a doctor says so, and never for babies under one.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
What does Clovate treat?
The Spanish leaflet lists four skin problems:
- Eczema that is hard to treat, when a milder steroid has not settled it.
- Psoriasis, but not psoriasis spread over large parts of the body.
- Lichen planus, an itchy rash of flat, purple-red bumps.
- Discoid lupus, round scaly patches, often on the face or scalp, that need a specialist.
It calms redness, itching and swelling. It does not cure the condition. The rash can come back when you stop.
How strong is clobetasol compared with other steroid creams?
Skin steroids are sorted into four groups by strength. The Spanish product sheet puts clobetasol in group IV, the most potent one. That is why doctors keep it for short spells and thick, stubborn patches.
| Strength group | Example ingredient | Example brand in Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Mild (I) | Hydrocortisone | Several brands |
| Potent (III) | Mometasone furoate | Elocom |
| Very potent (IV) | Clobetasol propionate | Clovate |
Do not mix it up with clobetasone. The name looks alike, but clobetasone is a much milder steroid.
Clovate, Dermovate, Clobex: which name is which?
The ingredient is the same in all of these. The base, the pack and the rules on who can buy it may differ.
| Name | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Clovate cream | Clobetasol propionate cream | Spain (prescription) |
| Clovate shampoo | Clobetasol shampoo for scalp psoriasis in adults | Spain (prescription) |
| Dermovate | Clobetasol propionate cream, ointment and scalp treatment | UK |
| Etrivex | Clobetasol shampoo | UK |
| Clobex, Cormax, Olux | Clobetasol products | US |
MedlinePlus notes that Temovate, a well-known US name, is no longer on the market. If you bring a tube from home, show it to the doctor so you do not use two clobetasol products at once.
Do you need a prescription for Clovate in Spain?
Yes. Both Clovate cream and Clovate shampoo are listed as prescription-only on the AEMPS CIMA database. A pharmacy needs a Spanish prescription, on paper or electronic. Our prescription status guide explains how this works.
Eczema or psoriasis that a milder cream has not settled?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He looks at the skin on camera and explains which strength fits the area and the problem.
Where should you not put clobetasol?
- The face, unless a doctor tells you to. Facial skin thins quickly with strong steroids.
- Skin folds such as the armpits, groin or under the breasts. The skin there soaks up more.
- Under a plaster, bandage, cling film or nappy, unless a doctor says so. Covering it raises the amount absorbed.
- In or near the eyes. It can raise eye pressure. If it gets in, rinse with plenty of water.
- Open wounds or ulcers.
Who should not use Clovate?
- Babies under one year. The leaflet forbids it, nappy rash included. Older children need close medical checks.
- Anyone allergic to clobetasol or to the other ingredients in the tube.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: only if the doctor thinks it is truly needed.
Which rashes does clobetasol not treat?
A strong steroid can make some rashes worse, or hide them. The leaflet says not to use it on:
- Fungal infections, such as ringworm, athlete's foot or thrush on the skin.
- Bacterial infections, such as impetigo.
- Viral infections, such as cold sores, chickenpox or shingles.
- Acne, rosacea or a red rash around the mouth.
- Itching around the anus or genitals.
If you are not sure what the rash is, have it checked first. Our pages on rashes, eczema and fungal skin infections explain what a doctor looks for.
Side effects and when to see a doctor
Burning, itching or redness where you apply it can happen. With long use on the same patch, the skin can thin. It may also get stretch marks, small visible veins or lighter patches. Used on large areas for a long time, enough can enter the blood to affect the body's own hormones. In children that can slow growth. Do not stop a long course all at once. Your doctor will tell you how to step down. See a doctor if:
- The skin is not clearly better within the time your doctor set.
- The patch weeps, crusts, turns yellow, hurts or feels hot. That can mean infection.
- The rash spreads, or flares as soon as you stop.
- Your vision becomes blurred.
Call 112 if your face, lips or throat swell, or you struggle to breathe. Also call 112 for a rash that spreads fast with fever, or skin that blisters or peels.
Talking it through with a doctor by video
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:
- Look at the rash on camera and ask how long you have had it.
- Ask which creams you have used, and for how long.
- Check for signs of infection, which a steroid would make worse.
- Explain whether a very potent steroid fits, or whether a milder one or a specialist suits you better.
He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.
This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
What is Clovate?
The Spanish brand of clobetasol propionate, a very potent steroid for the skin. It comes as a cream and as a shampoo for scalp psoriasis.
Is Clovate the same as Dermovate?
Yes, both contain clobetasol propionate. Dermovate is the UK brand. Never use the two together.
Can I buy clobetasol cream without a prescription in Spain?
No. Clovate cream and shampoo are prescription-only medicines in Spain.
Can I use Clovate on my face?
Only if a doctor tells you to, and then for a short time. Facial skin thins easily with a steroid this strong.
Can children use clobetasol cream?
Never in babies under one year. In older children only with a doctor's advice and close checks, because children absorb more.
Does Clovate work on fungal rashes?
No. A steroid can make a fungal infection worse and harder to spot. Fungal rashes need an antifungal treatment.
Sources
- AEMPS CIMA: Clovate cream package leaflet
- AEMPS CIMA: Clovate shampoo package leaflet
- MedlinePlus: Clobetasol topical
- NHS: Clobetasol
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
