Bryhali™ (halobetasol propionate) Lotion

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last updated: July 2022

Bryhali lotion is a topical corticosteroid treatment for plaque psoriasis in adults. It is a prescription treatment that should only be used in people with plaque psoriasis over the age of 18, as it is not known if it is safe and effective in children.1,2

What is the ingredient in Bryhali?

The active ingredient in Bryhali is halobetasol propionate, a corticosteroid.1 Bryhali has a lower concentration of halobetasol than other available forms of halobetasol, which allows it to be used for up to 8 weeks.

How does Bryhali work?

Topical corticosteroids like Bryhali work by decreasing inflammation and reducing the activity of the immune system. In plaque psoriasis, the immune system responds abnormally, causing an abundance of compounds that cause inflammation and plaques on the skin. Corticosteroids reduce the production of the compounds that cause inflammation, although the exact way they help in psoriasis isn’t fully understood.1

In clinical trials, 37-38% of patients using Bryhali achieved treatment success, which was defined as “clear” or “almost clear,” after using the medication for 8 weeks. This was a significant improvement over the 8-12% of patients who received vehicle (the lotion without the active ingredient).2

What are the possible side effects of Bryhali?

The most common side effects that occurred in clinical trials included upper respiratory tract infection, application site dermatitis, and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).1,2

Bryhali may cause serious side effects, including Cushing’s syndrome, a condition where the adrenal glands stop working (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression), vision problems like cataracts or glaucoma, skin reactions (some of which may be irreversible), and effects on growth and weight in children.1,2

These are not all the possible side effects of Bryhali. Patients should discuss with their doctor any concerns and what side effects they might expect.

Things to know about Bryhali

Before starting treatment with Bryhali, patients should talk to their doctor about all their medical conditions, particularly if they have:1,2

  • Irritation or skin reaction to a steroid medication in the past
  • Current skin infection
  • Diabetes
  • Adrenal gland or liver problems

Patients who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or who are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed should talk to their doctor about using Bryhali. It is not known if Bryhali passes into breastmilk, but Bryhali should not be applied to the nipple or areola (darkened area around the nipple) if patients are planning to breastfeed an infant.1,2

The use of corticosteroids for prolonged periods, on large areas of skin, under occlusive dressings, or on an area of skin that is broken (the skin barrier is altered) may increase the risk of certain side effects.1

Dosing information

Bryhali is a topical treatment that should be applied only to affected areas of the skin once daily. It should not be used for more than 8 weeks, and treatment should be discontinued if clear skin is achieved before 8 weeks.1

Bryhali should only be used on the skin and should not be used in the mouth, eyes, or vagina. Avoid putting Bryhali on the face, groin, or underarms.1

For more information, read the full prescribing information of Bryhali.

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