Ultravate (halobetasol propionate) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat plaque psoriasis. Ultravate can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include reactions at the skin site where you apply the lotion.

Specifically, Ultravate is used in adults and certain children to treat plaque psoriasis.

The active ingredient in Ultravate is halobetasol propionate.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Ultravate can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Ultravate treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

The following sections include more side effects of Ultravate. Each person’s experience with side effects may differ.

Mild side effects have been reported with Ultravate. These include:

  • mild skin reactions where applying the lotion (Learn more about this in the “Side effects explained” section below.)
  • headache

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Ultravate unless your doctor recommends it.

Ultravate may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Ultravate. These include:

Learn more about the following side effects in the “Side effects explained” section below:

  • serious skin reactions where applying the lotion
  • eye-related side effects
  • adrenal insufficiency

If you develop serious side effects while using Ultravate, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911. Or call your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ultravate, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Ultravate can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep using Ultravate.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911. Or call your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ultravate. If so, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Ultravate’s side effects.

Are side effects in children different from those in adults?

Yes, some side effects differ in children and adults. Ultravate is used to help treat plaque psoriasis in children ages 12 years and older.

No specific side effects were reported more commonly in children in Ultravate’s studies. But certain side effects are known to be more common in children using topical corticosteroids. (Ultravate is a topical corticosteroid.) These side effects are possible based on how the drug works. They are:

For more information about potential side effects of Ultravate in children, talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

Does Ultravate cause long-term side effects?

Long-term side effects with Ultravate are rare but possible.

For example, using Ultravate may lead to rare but serious skin reactions that do not go away. These include permanent skin discoloration or loss of pigmentation. (Learn more about this in the “Side effects explained” section below.)

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Ultravate for longer than 2 weeks. That said, long-term use of topical corticosteroids may increase your risk of certain side effects. (Ultravate is a topical corticosteroid.) Examples include:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the possible side effects of Ultravate and how long they may last.

Learn more about some of the side effects Ultravate may cause.

Skin reactions where applying the lotion

Skin reactions where you apply Ultravate were a common side effect reported in studies of the drug. These reactions include:

  • mild skin reactions at the site, such as:
  • serious skin reactions at the site, such as:
    • infection
    • mild reactions that rarely are reversible, such as permanent skin discoloration or loss of pigmentation

Factors that can increase the risk of local skin reactions when using this drug include:

  • using Ultravate for a long time
  • using a watertight or airtight wrap, bandage, or dressing at the site where you apply Ultravate

What might help

If you have skin reactions during Ultravate treatment, call your doctor. For mild symptoms, they may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) or home remedies to help relieve symptoms. Their recommendations will depend on the specific symptoms you develop.

Due to the risk of skin reactions and other side effects, doctors typically won’t prescribe Ultravate for longer than 2 weeks.

To lower your risk of skin reactions, do not use a watertight or airtight wrap, bandage, or dressing where you apply Ultravate. Also, do not cover the application area with tight-fitting clothing. Such actions may cause your skin to absorb more of the drug.

Eye-related side effects

Eye-related side effects have rarely occurred in people using topical corticosteroids. (Ultravate is a topical corticosteroid.) Although they weren’t reported in the drug’s studies, they’re possible based on how the drug works.

Eye-related side effects reported with topical corticosteroids include:

  • Cataracts: Symptoms can include blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to glare from light.
  • Glaucoma: The main symptom is vision loss that occurs gradually.

Applying Ultravate directly to your eyelids can increase the risk of eye-related side effects from the drug. For this reason, it’s best to avoid using Ultravate near your eyes.

What might help

If you have plaque psoriasis symptoms on or near your eyelids, talk with your doctor. They can suggest an alternative to Ultravate for managing these symptoms.

Let your doctor know right away if you develop symptoms of eye-related side effects during Ultravate treatment. They’ll likely recommend that you make an appointment with an eye doctor for an eye exam. Depending on the results of the exam, your doctor may suggest stopping treatment with Ultravate.

Adrenal insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency is a possible side effect of Ultravate. This side effect was not common in studies of Ultravate. But it can cause serious symptoms in rare cases.

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include:

  • fatigue that doesn’t go away
  • weakness in your muscles
  • appetite loss
  • abdominal pain
  • irritability

Certain factors can increase your risk of adrenal insufficiency when using Ultravate. These include:

  • using Ultravate on large areas of skin
  • using Ultravate for a long time
  • using a watertight or airtight wrap, bandage, or dressing at the site where you apply Ultravate
  • having liver failure
  • using other corticosteroids while using Ultravate
  • being below 18 years old

What might help

During treatment, you should not use a watertight or airtight wrap, bandage, or dressing where you apply Ultravate. Also, do not cover the application area with tight-fitting clothing. Such actions may cause your skin to absorb more of the drug.

Due to the risk of skin reactions and other side effects, doctors typically won’t prescribe Ultravate for longer than 2 weeks.

If your doctor suspects you’ve developed adrenal insufficiency from using Ultravate, they’ll likely recommend stopping treatment. But do not stop using Ultravate on your own. Your doctor may have a specific plan for you to follow to safely stop the drug.

Abruptly stopping treatment with Ultravate can complicate adrenal insufficiency symptoms. Your doctor will likely recommend applying a smaller amount of Ultravate over time. You’ll continue this until you can safely stop it altogether.

In most cases, adrenal insufficiency and its symptoms will go away once treatment is stopped.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Ultravate treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were using when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Ultravate affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before using Ultravate.

Warnings

Ultravate can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Ultravate is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Ultravate. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.