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Indications & Uses
Betamethasone Dipropionate cream and ointment is used to relieve the inflammation and itching of resistant or severe corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. These include atopic eczema, nummular eczema, contact dermatitis, neurodermatitis, anogenital and senile pruritus, lichen planus and psoriasis.
Pharmacology
Betamethasone Dipropionate is a topical corticosteroid. It reduces inflammation, relieves itching and narrows the blood vessels. The medicine induces peptides called lipocortins, and these lipocortins antagonize phospholipase A2. This enzyme breaks down the membranes of leukocyte lysosomes and so releases arachidonic acid. When phospholipase A2 is blocked, the body forms and releases fewer of the inflammatory mediators that follow, including prostaglandins, kinins and histamine.
Pharmacokinetics: Betamethasone Dipropionate can be absorbed through normal intact skin. Corticosteroids bind to plasma proteins in varying degrees. They are metabolized mainly in the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Apply a thin film of Betamethasone Dipropionate once or twice a day, enough to cover the affected area completely.
Some people with chronic psoriasis improve a great deal, at least a marked improvement in the lesion (about 80% improvement). These patients can be kept in remission with a pulse dosing regimen. It means three applications in a row, each of up to 3.5 g of Betamethasone Dipropionate cream and ointment, twelve hours apart (for example morning, evening, then the next morning). The medicine goes on the areas that were affected before, once each week. For this purpose, the cream and ointment should be put on the lesion sites that were previously affected and treated. If a patient on the pulse regimen relapses, they should go back to the conventional dosing regimen.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Betamethasone Dipropionate are mild to moderate burning or stinging that passes quickly, dry skin, pruritus, irritation and folliculitis. Some effects are reported only rarely. These are tingling, prickly skin, tightening or cracking of the skin, a warm feeling, laminar scaling and perilesional scaling, follicular rash, skin atrophy, erythema, urticaria, vesiculation, telangiectasia, acneiform papules and hyperaesthesia. With the pulse dose regimen of Betamethasone Dipropionate ointment, the adverse reactions reported were mild intermittent hypertension and paraesthesia. Other local reactions have been reported with topical corticosteroids in general. They include itching, hypertrichosis, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infection, striae, miliaria and worsening of untreated infections.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Don't use Betamethasone Dipropionate in or near the eyes, because there is a risk of glaucoma and cataract. If irritation or sensitisation develops while using it, stop the treatment and start suitable therapy instead. If there is an infection, give an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial agent. And if the infection doesn't respond promptly, Betamethasone Dipropionate should be stopped until the infection has been controlled adequately. Corticosteroids are known to be absorbed through the skin, so in patients on prolonged and extensive topical treatment, the possibility of systemic effects should be kept in mind. Betamethasone Dipropionate is not meant for use under occlusive dressings, since these also increase systemic absorption of the corticosteroid. In infants the napkin can act as an occlusive dressing and increase absorption. Take suitable precautions when using topical corticosteroids in patients with stasis dermatitis and other skin diseases with impaired circulation. Prolonged use of topical corticosteroid preparations may cause striae or atrophy of the skin or subcutaneous tissue. If this happens, stop the treatment.
Contraindications
Don't use Betamethasone Dipropionate if you are allergic to it, to any other corticosteroid, or to anything else in the preparation. Like other topical corticosteroids, it should also not be used on viral skin infections such as vaccinia, varicella and Herpes simplex. The same applies to tuberculosis, acne rosacea, fungal skin infections (moniliasis), perioral dermatitis and ulcerative conditions.
Overdose
An acute overdose with betamethasone dipropionate ointment is unlikely, and it wouldn't be expected to put a person's life at risk. Still, the ointment should not be used for longer than the time the doctor has prescribed.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Store Betamethasone Dipropionate below 30°C, and keep it away from light and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Common questions about Betamet 0.05%
What is Betamet 0.05% Cream?
Betamet 0.05% Cream is a medicine that contains Betamethasone Dipropionate. It is made by Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC. It belongs to the Corticosteroid group of medicines.
What is Betamet used for?
Betamethasone Dipropionate cream and ointment is used to relieve the inflammation and itching of resistant or severe corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. These include atopic eczema, nummular eczema, contact dermatitis, neurodermatitis, anogenital and senile pruritus, lichen planus and psoriasis.
What are the side effects of Betamet?
The most common side effects of Betamethasone Dipropionate are mild to moderate burning or stinging that passes quickly, dry skin, pruritus, irritation and folliculitis. Some effects are reported only rarely.
What happens if I take too much Betamet?
An acute overdose with betamethasone dipropionate ointment is unlikely, and it wouldn't be expected to put a person's life at risk. Still, the ointment should not be used for longer than the time the doctor has prescribed. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Betamet?
Store Betamethasone Dipropionate below 30°C, and keep it away from light and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Do I need a prescription for Betamet?
Betamet is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.