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Adeel Arshad

Authored on 24 January 2024 by Adeel Arshad,

Reviewed 24 January 2024 by Dr Ruch Karunadasa.

Betnovate Cream

Cream medication

Betnovate cream contains 0.1% betamethasone valerate which is a potent steroid used in the treatment of eczema.

Medication effect duration

Like any other prescription medication you must consult a doctor before using it. PrivateDoc offers a confidential free consultation service that may result in you receiving a prescription for Betnovate Cream if it is deemed appropriate and Betnovate Cream can be prescribed safely.

Skin treatment

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Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Betnovate cream is betamethasone valerate 0.122% w/w (every 1g of cream contains 0.1g of active ingredient).

A full list of excipients can be found by clicking here to access the patient information leaflet.

How much does Betnovate Cream cost?

Betnovate Cream pack

Strength

30g 100g

Pack size

Prescription included

What does Betnovate cram look like?

Betnovate cream is a plain white cream.

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What conditions can Betnovate Cream used for

Betamethasone is a potent topical corticosteroid used in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as –

  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Nummular nodularis
  • Psoriasis (excluding widespread plaque psoriasis)
  • Lichen planus and lichen simplex chronicus
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis
  • Contact dermatitis

For a full list of conditions, read the summary of product characteristics.

How to use Betnovate Cream

All prescribed medication should be used in accordance with the prescriber’s instructions.

The usual recommended dose is applying a thin layer to the affected skin only and gently rub in once or twice daily (for up to four weeks or until improvement occurs). The frequency of application can then be reduced to maintain results.

Allow adequate time after each application to allow the cream to be absorbed before applying an emollient.

In more stubborn lesions such as plaque psoriasis on elbows and knees, the effects of the cream can be enhanced by occlusion with a polythene films (usually only required to be done overnight). Maintenance, once the symptoms have settled, can then be done without occlusion.

If the condition does not improve or worsens within 2-4 weeks of treatment, then treatment and diagnoses should be reviewed.

Treatment should be discontinued gradually as re-bound of the existing condition can occur with sudden discontinuation of the cream. Once possible gradually stop the Betnovate Cream and treatment with an emollient should be continued as maintenance therapy.

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Who cannot use Betnovate Cream

Avoid using Betnovate Cream if –

  • you have had a hypersensitivity reaction to any of the active ingredients or the excipients of the cream.
  • you suffer from rosacea, acne vulgaris, pruritus without inflammation, perianal and genital pruritus and perioral dermatitis.
  • you are under the age of 1 year old.

A full list of contraindications and cautions can be seen by clicking here to see the full summary of product characteristics.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is limited data about the use of betamethasone in pregnant females. Topical administration of corticosteroids in animal studies have shown to cause abnormalities in the unborn foetus.

The relevance of these studies to humans has not been established and therefore the use of Betnovate Cream in pregnant females should consider the risk to the unborn foetus versus the potential benefit to the mother. If treatment is started, then this should be with the minimum quantity required and for the shortest duration.

Again, it has not been established if it is safe to use topical corticosteroid during breastfeeding. There is no evidence to show whether topical administration results in enough absorption to allow detectable levels of corticosteroid in breast milk. Again, treatment should only be started if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the baby. If used during breastfeeding, then the cream should not be applied to the breasts to avoid accidental ingestion by the infant.

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Possible Side effects

Like all medication Betnovate can cause some side effects. Common side effects are Irritation & burning sensation of skin ,rash and inflammation at site of administration.

For full list of side effects see https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.929.pdf

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