Betamethasone Cream BP 0.1% 25g

Betamethasone Cream contains the active ingredient Betamethasone.

Betamethasone belongs to a group of medicines called topical corticosteroids which are used on the  surface of the skin to reduce the redness and itchiness caused by certain skin problems.

In adults and children, Betamethasone cream is used to treat skin problems: including eczema, all types of dermatitis and psoriasis of the scalp, hands, and feet. Eczema is a common skin disease, which causes the skin to become red and itchy. Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin. Psoriasis is a skin  disease in which itchy, scaly, pink patches develop on the elbows, knees, scalp, and other parts of the  body.

Do not use Betamethasone cream if you have any of the following conditions 

• an allergy to betamethasone dipropionate or any of the other ingredients in this medicine. • any other skin problem because Betamethasone dipropionate could make it worse, especially rosacea, acne, dermatitis around the mouth, genital itching, nappy rash, cold sores, chickenpox, shingles, or other skin infections. Ask your health care professional if you are not sure.

Warnings and precautions 

• If you have psoriasis, your doctor may want to review your treatment regularly. Contact your doctor if your psoriasis gets worse or you get raised bumps filled with pus under your skin. • Contact your doctor if you or your child experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances. • This medicine should not be used under bandages or plasters.
• Side effects that may occur with oral or injectable corticosteroids may also occur with  corticosteroids used on the skin, especially in infants and children.
• If you use more than the correct amount of cream and/or use it for longer than is recommended,  it can affect the levels of certain hormones in the body, particularly in infants and children. • In adults the changes in hormone levels may lead rarely to puffiness or rounding of the face,  weakness, tiredness, and dizziness when standing or sitting down.
• Do not smoke or go near naked flames – because of the risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing,  bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.

Children 

If you use more than the correct amount of cream and/or use it for longer than is recommended, it can affect your child’s hormones. Rarely this may lead to:

• Delayed growth and development
• Puffiness or rounding of the face
• A build-up of pressure around the brain which can produce

– a bulging of the fontanelle (the soft spot in the top of the skull) in infants

– a constant thumping headache

– blurred vision or other visual disturbances

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility 

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

How to Use

Always use this medicine exactly as your health care provider has told you. Check with your healthcare  professional if you are not sure.

Recommended dose 

Usually for adults and children, a thin layer of Betamethasone cream should be rubbed into the affected area of skin twice a day.

Always follow the following instructions when using Betamethasone dipropionate cream: – Do not use the cream on your face for more than 5 days.

– Do not use a large amount of cream on large areas of the body, open wounds, or areas of the body where joints bend for a long time (for example every day for many weeks or months).

– Avoid getting the cream in your eyes.

Use in children 

Use as stated above. Do not use Betamethasone cream on any part of your child’s body for more than  5 days. Do not put the cream under your child’s nappy, as this makes it easier for the active ingredient of the medicine to pass through the skin and possibly cause some unwanted effects.

If you use more Betamethasone cream than you should 

If you (or somebody else) accidentally swallows the cream, it should not cause any problems.  However, if you are worried, you should see your doctor.

If you use the cream more often than you should, or on large areas of your body, it can affect some  of your hormones. In children this may affect their growth and development. If you have not used the  cream as you were told to do and have used it too often and/or for a long time, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to use Betamethasone cream 

If you forget to use your cream at the right time, use it as soon as you remember, then carry on as  before.

If you stop using Betamethasone cream 

If you have been using the cream for a long time and your skin problem seems to have got better,  you should not suddenly stop using the cream. If you do, you may find that your skin becomes red  and you may notice stinging or burning. To avoid this, you should speak to your doctor who will gradually reduce how often you need to use the cream until you stop treatment altogether.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.