Q. What is DUOBRII Lotion?
A: DUOBRII Lotion is a prescription medicine made up of a
combination of halobetasol propionate and tazarotene that is used on the skin to treat plaque
psoriasis in adults. Do not use DUOBRII Lotion in your mouth, eyes or vagina.
Q. Can I use DUOBRII Lotion if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
A: You must not be pregnant when you start using DUOBRII
Lotion or become pregnant during treatment with DUOBRII Lotion. DUOBRII Lotion may cause birth
defects if used during pregnancy.
For females who are able to get pregnant:
- Your doctor should order a pregnancy test for you within 2 weeks before you begin treatment
with DUOBRII Lotion to be sure that you are not pregnant.
- Begin treatment with DUOBRII Lotion during a normal menstrual period.
- Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with DUOBRII Lotion. Talk with your
doctor about birth control options to prevent pregnancy during treatment with DUOBRII
Lotion.
- Stop using DUOBRII Lotion and tell your doctor right away if
you become pregnant while using DUOBRII Lotion.
Q. How long can I use DUOBRII Lotion?
A: Unlike using other potent-to-superpotent steroids
alone, there is no limit to how long you can use DUOBRII Lotion (once a day) as long as you stop
using it when your skin becomes clear. Stop using when your skin becomes clear or if you experience side effects.
Once clear, you may stay that way for up to 3 months after using DUOBRII Lotion.
Q. Who else should not use DUOBRII Lotion?
A: Do not use DUOBRII Lotion on skin where you have eczema
because it may cause severe irritation.
If you have a sunburn, do not use DUOBRII Lotion until fully recovered.
If you have considerable sun exposure due to your occupation or are sensitive to sunlight,
exercise particular caution when using DUOBRII Lotion.
Q. What other safety information do I need to know?
A: DUOBRII Lotion may cause HPA axis suppression, which is
when your body is unable to make enough cortisol, a hormone that is important to several body
systems. Your doctor will monitor you for symptoms during treatment with DUOBRII Lotion.
Q. What should I tell my doctor before using DUOBRII Lotion?
A: Before you use DUOBRII Lotion, tell your doctor if you:
- have eczema or any other skin problems.
- have a skin infection. You may need medicine to treat the skin infection before using
DUOBRII.
- have diabetes.
- have adrenal gland problems.
- have liver problems.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if DUOBRII passes into your breast
milk. If you use DUOBRII and breastfeed, do not apply DUOBRII to your nipple or areola to
avoid getting DUOBRII into your baby’s mouth.
DUOBRII Lotion cannot be used during pregnancy (see question above about use during pregnancy).
Q. Can I use DUOBRII Lotion if I’m taking other medications for psoriasis?
A: Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take,
including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and
cosmetics. Especially tell your doctor if you take corticosteroids by mouth, or injection, or
use other products on your skin that contain corticosteroids. Certain medicines may make your
skin more sensitive to sunlight. Ask your doctor for a list of these medicines if you are not
sure.
Q. What should I avoid while using DUOBRII Lotion?
A: Avoid sunlight, including sunlamps and tanning beds,
during your treatment with DUOBRII Lotion. DUOBRII Lotion can make your skin more sensitive to
the sun and the light from sunlamps and tanning beds. You could get severe sunburn. Use
sunscreen, and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you have to be in sunlight.
- Talk to your doctor if you get sunburn during treatment with DUOBRII. If you do get sunburn,
do not use DUOBRII until your sunburn is healed.
Avoid using DUOBRII on skin with eczema because it may cause severe irritation.
Q. What are the possible side effects of DUOBRII Lotion?
A: DUOBRII may cause side effects, including:
- See “What is the most important information I should know about DUOBRII Lotion?”
- DUOBRII Lotion can pass through your skin. Too much DUOBRII Lotion passing through your skin
can cause adrenal glands to stop working.
- Cushing’s syndrome, a condition that happens when your body is exposed to too much of the
hormone cortisol.
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
- Effects of growth and weight in children.
- Skin irritation. DUOBRII may cause increased skin irritation. Tell your doctor if you
develop any skin irritation during your treatment with DUOBRII. If you develop skin
irritation, your doctor may tell you to interrupt or stop using DUOBRII, or tell you to use
DUOBRII less often.
- Sensitivity to light and risk of sunburn. See “What should I avoid during treatment with
DUOBRII Lotion?”
- Vision problems. DUOBRII may increase your chance of developing cataract(s) and glaucoma.
Tell your doctor if you have blurred vision or other vision problems during your treatment
with DUOBRII.
The most common side effects of DUOBRII Lotion include: redness, itching, swelling, burning,
stinging, application site pain, inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis), thinning of the skin
(atrophy), peeling and rash.
These are not all of the possible side effects of DUOBRII.
Q. What are the active ingredients in DUOBRII Lotion?
A: DUOBRII Lotion is a combination product containing
halobetasol propionate and tazarotene as the active ingredients in a white to off-white lotion
formulation.
Q. What other ingredients are in DUOBRII Lotion?
A: Other ingredients in DUOBRII Lotion are carbomer
copolymer type B, carbomer homopolymer type A, diethyl sebacate, edetate disodium dihydrate,
light mineral oil, methylparaben, propylparaben, purified water, sodium hydroxide, sorbitan
monooleate and sorbitol solution, 70%.
Q. Can I just use an over-the-counter lotion?
A: There are many medications available to treat
psoriasis. Talk to your doctor about which medications are right for you.
Q. Where on my body can I not use DUOBRII Lotion?
A: DUOBRII Lotion is for use on the skin only; do not use
it in your mouth, eyes, or vagina. DUOBRII Lotion also should not be used on the face, groin, or
in the armpit. Do not apply it to skin that has eczema.
Q. Can I use a moisturizer while using DUOBRII Lotion?
A: You may use a cream or lotion to soften or moisten your
skin as often as desired, except within an hour of applying DUOBRII Lotion. However, make sure
to tell your doctor about any cosmetics you use, including moisturizers, creams, lotions, or
products that can dry out your skin.