Prescription-only topical combination
Clobetasol, miconazole and neomycin cream: what it contains and when it is used
Clobetasol miconazole neomycin cream combines a super-potent corticosteroid (clobetasol propionate 0.05%), an aminoglycoside antibiotic (neomycin sulphate 0.5%) and an imidazole antifungal (miconazole nitrate 2%) in one 15 g tube[1]. It is meant for short, doctor-supervised use on inflamed skin where a bacterial or fungal infection is also present or suspected. It is not a ringworm (daad) cream for self-treatment[2].
Lobular-GM is Laafon Galaxy’s brand of this composition. The pack carries the prescription-only caution and the words “For external use only”[1].
- Rx only
- Clobetasol 0.05% w/w
- Neomycin 0.5% w/w
- Miconazole 2.0% w/w
- 15 g tube
From the carton
Clobetasol miconazole neomycin cream: composition and pack details
| Clobetasol propionate IP | 0.05% w/w: super-potent topical corticosteroid |
|---|---|
| Neomycin sulphate IP | 0.5% w/w: aminoglycoside antibiotic |
| Miconazole nitrate IP | 2.0% w/w: imidazole antifungal |
| Chlorocresol IP | 0.1% w/w: preservative |
| Base | Cream base q.s. |
| Storage | Below 25°C. Do not freeze. Keep the cap tightly closed after each use. |
| Label cautions | For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and mouth. Do not apply on cuts or wounds. Not to be sold by retail without the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner. |
Source: Lobular-GM carton and tube label[1]. Two corrections to the old version of this page: clobetasol is 0.05%, not 0.5%, and the storage limit is 25°C, not 30°C.
Mechanism
What each ingredient does
Clobetasol propionate: the steroid
A super-potent corticosteroid that quickly reduces redness, swelling and itch[2]. Potency is also the risk. Clobetasol has suppressed the body’s own cortisol axis (HPA axis) at doses as low as 2 g a day[3], and it thins skin with prolonged use.
Miconazole nitrate: the antifungal
An imidazole that blocks the fungal enzyme 14α-demethylase, which fungi need to make ergosterol for their cell membranes. It covers dermatophytes and Candida, and has some activity against Gram-positive bacteria[4].
Neomycin sulphate: the antibiotic
An aminoglycoside antibacterial for superficial bacterial infection. Neomycin is consistently among the most frequent contact allergens found on patch testing, including in children[5]. A rash that worsens under the cream can be allergy, not treatment failure.
How it is used
How to use clobetasol combination cream safely: the limits regulators set
The Lobular-GM label says only “to be applied as directed by the physician”[1]. The steroid sets the safety ceiling, so the limits below come from approved clobetasol propionate labels in the US and UK. The two labels differ, and both are shown.
| Limit | US label (clobetasol 0.05%)[3] | UK SmPC (Dermovate cream)[6] |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Thin layer, twice daily | Thin layer, once or twice daily |
| Maximum amount | 50 g per week | 50 g per week |
| Maximum duration | 2 consecutive weeks | Not beyond 4 weeks |
| Children | Not recommended under 12 years | Contraindicated under 1 year. In children, courses limited if possible to 5 days and reviewed weekly |
| Face, groin, armpits | Should not be used | Face undesirable. If used, limit to 5 days |
| Bandaging (occlusion) | Should not be used | Not in children. Raises infection risk in skin folds |
Scroll the table sideways to see both labels.
Interactive
Safety checker: should this cream be used here?
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The most common misuse
Why a steroid combination cream is not a ringworm (daad) treatment
In a pharmacovigilance study at AIIMS Bhopal under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, 485 adverse events from topical steroids were reported over 20 months. In 87.84% of cases the cream had been bought without a prescription, and 76.70% were being used for fungal skin infection (dermatophytosis)[2].
What patients saw
Skin atrophy in 50.10%, stretch marks (striae) in 25.54% and loss of skin colour in 19.79%. 66 patients had tinea that had flared or changed its look (tinea incognito)[2].
Why it happens
The steroid stops the itch within days, so the cream seems to work. Meanwhile it suppresses the local immune response and the fungus keeps spreading. The average course in the study was about 5 months, far beyond the 2-week ceiling[2].
For a suspected ringworm patch, see a doctor for a plain antifungal course. Use a steroid combination only if the doctor finds marked inflammation as well, and for the shortest time.
India
Regulatory status of clobetasol + neomycin + miconazole cream in India
- 16–17 Jul 2015CDSCO publishes lists of state-licensed FDCs (category ‘c’) allowed to continue under the 18-month policy. Clobetasol + miconazole (S. No. 163) and clobetasol + neomycin + chlorocresol (S. No. 284) appear as two-drug creams. The three-drug clobetasol + neomycin + miconazole cream does not[7].
- 07 Sep 2018Under Section 26A, the Government prohibits two close four-drug relatives: clobetasol + neomycin + miconazole + clotrimazole (S.O. 4670(E)) and clobetasol + neomycin + miconazole + zinc sulphate (S.O. 4673(E))[8].
- 2021The AIIMS Bhopal pharmacovigilance paper names clobetasol 0.05% + miconazole 2% + neomycin 0.5% as “another irrational FDC”. It was a replacement brand launched after a banned four-drug cream[2].
- Status at review (Oct 2026)The three-drug combination itself is not on the Section 26A prohibition list[8]. Lobular-GM is made under a state manufacturing licence. Clobetasol propionate and miconazole are both named in Schedule H of the Drugs Rules, and the pack carries the prescription-only caution[1].
FDC prohibitions are notified by gazette and can change. Check the current CDSCO list before stocking or prescribing any steroid–anti-infective combination.
Hindi summary
हिंदी में सारांश: क्लोबेटासोल, नियोमाइसिन और माइकोनाज़ोल क्रीम
- क्या है: इसमें तीन दवाएँ हैं। क्लोबेटासोल प्रोपियोनेट 0.05% बहुत तेज़ स्टेरॉयड है। नियोमाइसिन 0.5% एंटीबायोटिक है। माइकोनाज़ोल 2% फंगस-रोधी दवा है।
- किसके लिए: सूजन और खुजली वाली त्वचा, जिसमें बैक्टीरिया या फंगस का संक्रमण भी हो या उसकी आशंका हो। इसे केवल डॉक्टर की सलाह पर, कम समय के लिए लगाएँ।
- दाद (रिंगवर्म) के लिए खुद से न लगाएँ: स्टेरॉयड खुजली को दबा देता है, पर फंगस फैलता रहता है। इससे त्वचा पतली हो सकती है और त्वचा पर धारियाँ (स्ट्राई) पड़ सकती हैं।
- सीमाएँ: हफ्ते में 50 ग्राम से ज़्यादा नहीं। चेहरे, जांघ के जोड़ (ग्रोइन) और बगल पर न लगाएँ। कटी हुई त्वचा या घाव पर न लगाएँ। पट्टी से न ढकें।
- बच्चे: 12 साल से कम उम्र के बच्चों में केवल डॉक्टर की देखरेख में उपयोग करें।
- भंडारण: 25°C से कम तापमान पर रखें। फ्रीज़ न करें।
यह जानकारी शिक्षा के लिए है। यह इलाज की सलाह नहीं है।
Laafon Galaxy own brand
Lobular-GM Cream: brand and pack details
| Brand | Lobular-GM Cream |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Clobetasol propionate, neomycin sulphate and miconazole nitrate cream |
| Pack | 15 g lami tube in a carton |
| MRP | ₹70 per 15 g tube (incl. of all taxes) |
| Status | Prescription only. Schedule H ingredients |
| Manufactured by | Athens Life Sciences, Kala Amb, Distt. Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh (the carton describes Athens Life Sciences as a WHO-GMP certified company)[1] |
| Marketed by | Laafon Galaxy Pharmaceuticals |
| Sibling brand | Lobular Plus Cream (clobetasol with itraconazole, ofloxacin and ornidazole) |
For distributors, retailers and PCD partners: ask for trade rates, availability and franchise terms for Lobular-GM on WhatsApp. This is a trade-only line. We do not supply patients or give treatment advice over chat.
WhatsApp trade enquiryLooking for a wider derma range? See Laafon Galaxy PCD franchise enquiries or the full Laafon product list.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about clobetasol neomycin miconazole cream
Doctors prescribe it for short courses on inflamed, itchy skin conditions where a bacterial or fungal infection is also present or suspected. The steroid controls inflammation, miconazole treats fungus and yeast, and neomycin treats bacteria. It should not be used as a self-treatment for ringworm.
No. The carton states it is not to be sold by retail without the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner. Clobetasol propionate and miconazole are both Schedule H drugs. The old version of this page wrongly described it as OTC.
Generally no. The US clobetasol label says it should not be used on the face, groin or armpits. The UK label calls facial use undesirable, limits it to 5 days if used, and lists perianal and genital itching as a contraindication. Thin skin in these areas absorbs more steroid and thins faster.
Only for the period your doctor sets. Approved clobetasol labels cap treatment at 2 consecutive weeks (US) or 4 weeks (UK), with no more than 50 g in a week. If the skin has not improved within a week, go back to the doctor rather than continuing.
Children absorb more steroid through the skin. The US label does not recommend clobetasol under 12 years. The UK label contraindicates it under 1 year and limits children’s courses to 5 days where possible. Use it in a child only under a doctor’s direct supervision.
No. “GM” in a brand name is not a standard abbreviation. Some clobetasol “GM” creams contain gentamicin with miconazole, and others contain neomycin with miconazole (often sold as “GM Neo”). Lobular-GM contains neomycin. Always read the composition panel, not the brand suffix.
Watch for thinning or shiny skin, stretch marks, lighter patches, acne-like spots, and a rash that spreads or burns more. That last sign can mean neomycin allergy or a fungal infection masked by the steroid. Stop and see the doctor if any of these appear.
Store it below 25°C and do not freeze it. Keep the cap tightly closed after each use and keep the tube out of children’s reach, as printed on the carton.
Related on laafon.com
References
- Laafon Galaxy Pharmaceuticals. Lobular-GM Cream (clobetasol propionate, neomycin sulphate and miconazole nitrate cream) 15 g: carton and tube label. Manufactured by Athens Life Sciences, Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh. Label text read October 2026.
- Jhaj R, Asati DP, Chaudhary D, Sadasivam B. Topical steroid containing combinations: burden of adverse effects and why the recent regulatory action may not be enough. Indian J Pharmacol. 2021;53(5):371-376. doi:10.4103/ijp.IJP_728_19. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34854405/. Accessed October 2026.
- DailyMed [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US). Clobetasol propionate ointment, cream, gel (E. Fougera & Co.). Label updated July 2025. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2d4fa3a3-dc1c-4d3c-9959-4751e09d25be. Accessed October 2026.
- Piérard GE, Hermanns-Lê T, Delvenne P, Piérard-Franchimont C. Miconazole, a pharmacological barrier to skin fungal infections. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2012;13(8):1187-1194. doi:10.1517/14656566.2012.687047. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22568580/. Accessed October 2026.
- Tam I, Yu J. Pediatric contact dermatitis: what’s new. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2020;32(4):524-530. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000919. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32618793/. Accessed October 2026.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. Dermovate Cream: Summary of Product Characteristics. Glaxo Wellcome UK Ltd; text revised 09 July 2024. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/939/smpc. Accessed October 2026.
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. List of FDCs (under category ‘c’) permitted for continued manufacturing and marketing under 18 month policy decision. Government of India; 2015. Available from: https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2018/UploadApprovalMarketingFDC/18month.pdf. Accessed October 2026.
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (status as on 22.11.2021). Government of India. Available from: https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2018/UploadConsumer/Updated%20Banned%20Drugs%20List%20(1).pdf. Accessed October 2026.
Disclaimer: This page is product and regulatory information for healthcare professionals and trade buyers, written for education. It is not medical advice. Use this cream only on the prescription and under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner. Drug schedules, FDC prohibitions and product labels change by notification. Check the current CDSCO position and the pack insert before relying on any detail here.
