Betamethasone dipropionate (topical application route)
Available brands
Alphatrex, Del-Beta, Diprosone, Sernivo, Dovobet, Occlucort
About this medication
Betamethasonetopical cream, gel, lotion, and ointmentare used to help relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomforts caused by certain skin conditions. Betamethasonetopical sprayis used to treat adults with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. This medicine is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid). This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of betamethasone topical in children 13 years of age and older. However, because of this medicine's toxicity, it should be used with caution. Children may absorb large amounts through the skin, which can cause serious side effects. If your child is using this medicine, follow your doctor's instructions very carefully. Use in children 12 years of age and younger is not recommended. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of betamethasonetopical sprayin the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Use is not recommended in children. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of betamethasone topical in the elderly. Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of betamethasonetopical sprayhave not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation. This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, mouth, or vagina. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away with water. This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. This medicine should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating.Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions, such as severe burns. To help clear up your skin problem completely, it is very important that youkeep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Do not miss any doses. Do not use thetopical cream, gel, lotion, ointment, and sprayon the face, scalp, groin, or underarms unless directed to do so by your doctor. Do not use on skin areas that may rub or touch together. To use: The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Throw away any unused betamethasonetopical sprayafter 4 weeks.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.