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Betamethasone topical Consumer Information

BETAMETHASONE TOPICAL

Generic Name: betamethasone topical (bay ta MEH tha sone)

Brand Names: Alphatrex, Beta-Val, Betaderm, Betanate, Betatrex, Diprolene, Diprolene AF, Diprosone, Luxiq, Maxivate, Teladar, Uticort, Valisone

What is the most important information I should know about betamethasone topical?

• Do not use plastic bandages, dressings, or diapers that do not allow air to circulate to the area (occlusive dressings) unless your doctor directs you to do so. The use of occlusive dressings can greatly increase the amount of drug the body absorbs. If you do use an occlusive dressing, do not use it for more than 12 hours a day.
• Do not use betamethasone topical to treat any area of the body that it is not prescribed for. This could be dangerous.
• Betamethasone topical is not approved for use by children younger than 12 years of age. Use betamethasone topical cautiously, and only under the supervision of a doctor, to treat a child. Children are more sensitive to the effects of betamethasone topical.

What is betamethasone topical?

• Betamethasone is a topical steroid. It reduces or inhibits the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.
• Betamethasone topical is used to treat inflammation caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis.
• Betamethasone topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not use betamethasone topical?

• Return to your doctor if the condition does not improve or if it gets worse. Betamethasone topical alone will not treat your condition if it is a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection.
• Betamethasone topical is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether betamethasone topical will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. If it is necessary to use betamethasone during pregnancy, the smallest amount possible should be applied, for the shortest time necessary to treat the condition, under the supervision of a doctor.
• It is not known whether betamethasone passes into breast milk. Do not use betamethasone topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Betamethasone topical is not approved for use by children younger than 12 years of age. Use this medication cautiously, and only under the supervision of a doctor, to treat a child. Children are more sensitive to the effects of betamethasone topical.

How should I use betamethasone topical?

• Apply the medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Wash your hands before and after each application, unless betamethasone topical is being used to treat a hand condition.
• Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin.
• Use caution on areas where the skin creases, such as armpits, knees, and elbows. These areas may absorb more medication. Also, avoid the eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes.
• If you need to protect the area, it can be covered with a breathable cotton-gauze dressing. Avoid using plastic, occlusive dressings that do not allow air to circulate to the area.
• Do not use betamethasone topical to treat any area of the body that it is not prescribed for. This could be dangerous.
• Store betamethasone topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and apply the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

• An overdose of betamethasone topical is not likely to occur. If the medication is ingested, or if a large amount is used over a large area and side effects are being experienced, call an emergency room or a poison control left for advice.

What should I avoid while using betamethasone topical?

• Do not use plastic bandages, dressings, or diapers that do not allow air to circulate to the area (occlusive dressings) unless your doctor directs you to do so. The use of occlusive dressings will greatly increase the amount of drug the body absorbs. If you do use an occlusive dressing, do not use it for more than 12 hours a day.
• Avoid using other topical medications, harsh or abrasive soaps, or cosmetics on the affected area except under the supervision of a doctor.

What are the possible side effects of betamethasone topical?

• No serious systemic side effects are expected unless a large amount of betamethasone topical is used for a long period of time. If the drug is being absorbed into your system, you may experience blurred vision, halos around lights, an irregular heartbeat, insomnia, mood changes, weight gain, or fatigue. If you experience any unusual side effects, notify your doctor.
• Less serious side effects are more likely to occur. You may experience some redness, blistering, burning, itching, or peeling. Continue to use betamethasone topical and talk to your doctor.
• Other local side effects may also occur, especially with prolonged use of betamethasone topical. These include thinning of the skin, prolonged redness, and stretch marks.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect betamethasone topical?

• Avoid using other topical medications, harsh or abrasive soaps, or cosmetics on the affected area except under the supervision of a doctor.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with betamethasone topical. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about betamethasone topical written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 4.02. Revision Date: 2/14/03.