What is the most important information I should know about betamethasone topical?
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
What is betamethasone topical?
Betamethasone is a highly potent steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Betamethasone topical (for the skin) is used to treat the inflammation and itching caused by a number of skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
Betamethasone topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using betamethasone topical?
You should not use betamethasone topical if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- skin irritation after using steroid medicine;
- thinning of the skin where you will apply this medicine;
- cataracts or glaucoma;
- diabetes;
- liver disease;
- adrenal gland problems; or
- any type of skin infection.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks. If you apply betamethasone to your chest, avoid areas that may come into contact with the baby's mouth.
Do not use betamethasone topical on a child without a doctor's advice. Children can absorb larger amounts of this medicine through the skin and may be more likely to have side effects.
Diprolene is not approved for use by anyone younger than 13 years old. Sernivo and Luxiq are not approved for anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I use betamethasone topical?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, or irritated skin. Rinse with water if this medicine gets in your eyes or mouth.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Wash your hands before and after using this medicine, unless you are using the medicine to treat the skin on your hands.
Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin. Do not apply betamethasone topical over a large area of skin.
Do not cover the treated skin area unless your doctor tells you to. Covering treated areas can increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin and may cause harmful effects.
Use betamethasone topical regularly to get the most benefit. Stop using the medicine once your symptoms clear up.
Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve after 2 weeks, or if it gets worse.
Do not use Diprolene for longer than 2 weeks in a row. Do not use Sernivo or Luxiq for longer than 4 weeks.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
The foam is flammable. Do not use near high heat or open flame. Do not smoke until the foam has completely dried on your skin.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not apply two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
Long term use of high doses can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.
What should I avoid while using betamethasone topical?
Do not get this medicine in your eyes. If contact does occur, rinse with water.
Avoid applying betamethasone topical to the skin of your face, underarms, or groin area without your doctor's instruction.
Do not use betamethasone topical to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of betamethasone topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using betamethasone and call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe skin irritation where the medicine was applied; or
- signs of skin infection (swelling, redness, warmth, oozing).
Your skin can absorb topical steroid medicine, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body. Stop using betamethasone and call your doctor if you have:
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
- slow wound healing, thinning skin, increased body hair;
- increased thirst or urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
- weight gain, puffiness in your face; or
- muscle weakness, tired feeling, depression, anxiety, feeling irritable.
Steroids can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.
Common side effects may include:
- itching, redness, burning, stinging, or blistering of treated skin;
- skin bruising or shiny appearance; or
- folliculitis (redness or crusting around your hair follicles).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect betamethasone topical?
Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about betamethasone topical.
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.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, 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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. 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, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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