betamethasone and calcipotriene (topical)

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Before using betamethasone and calcipotriene, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

There may be other drugs that can affect betamethasone and calcipotriene. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

Betamethasone is a topical corticosteroid. It reduces swelling, relieves itching, and constricts blood vessels.

Calcipotriene is a form of vitamin D. It works by decreasing the rate of skin cell reproduction.

Betamethasone and calcipotriene is a combination drug used to treat psoriasis vulgaris.

Betamethasone and calcipotriene may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• low or high levels of calcium in your blood;
• severe forms of psoriasis (with pus, skin peeling, severe redness); or
• a skin infection.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use betamethasone and calcipotriene, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Tell your doctor if you are receiving UV light treatments (phototherapy) for your psoriasis.

FDA pregnancy category C: This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known if betamethasone and calcipotriene pass into breast milk or if this medicine could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Betamethasone and calcipotriene can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

This medicine should not be used on a child.

Use betamethasone and calcipotriene exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine.

Betamethasone and calcipotriene topical is for use on the skin only. However, do not apply the medicine to your face, underarms, or groin (genital area).

Apply a thin layer of the medication and rub it in completely.

Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or tight clothing, unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not use betamethasone and calcipotriene for longer than 4 weeks unless your doctor has told you to.

While you are using this medication, your blood and urine may need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tube capped and tightly closed when not in use.

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it.

Symptoms of a betamethasone and calcipotriene overdose may include nausea, vomiting, lost appeitite, tiredness, trouble breathing, joint/muscle pain, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Avoid applying this medicine to more than one-third of your skin surface at any one time.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Betamethasone and calcipotriene topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use this medicine on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin; or on open wounds. Also avoid using this medication in wounds or on areas of infection. Wait until these conditions have healed before using betamethasone and calcipotriene topical.

Stop using this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using betamethasone and calcipotriene and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe skin irritation on treated areas;
• worsened symptoms or no improvement in psoriasis;
• pus, swelling, redness, increased itching, or other signs of skin infection;
• confusion, thirst, extreme tiredness, lost appetite, weight loss;
• adrenal insuffiency--nausea, vomiting, lost appetite, tiredness, trouble breathing, joint/muscle pain, feeling light-headed, fainting;
• Cushing syndrome--weight gain (especially in your face), thinning muscles in your arms or legs, easy bruising, thinning skin, acne, increased facial hair, darkened skin; or
• high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)--increased urination and thirst, nausea, vomiting.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue using betamethasone and calcipotriene and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• burning or mild itching;
• red or scaly rash;
• swollen hair follicles; or
• changes in the color of treated skin areas.

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.

Before using betamethasone and calcipotriene, tell your doctor if you are using any other steroid medicines, or other medicines to treat psoriasis.

There may be other drugs that can affect betamethasone and calcipotriene. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist has more information about betamethasone and calcipotriene written for health professionals that you may read.

Betamethasone and calcipotriene is available with a prescription under the brand name Taclonex. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.