Drug Action
Betamethasone has very high glucocorticoid activity and insignificant mineralocorticoid activity.
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Drug reference
Betamethasone has very high glucocorticoid activity and insignificant mineralocorticoid activity.
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Severe inflammatory skin disorders such as eczemas unresponsive to less potent corticosteroids | Psoriasis ▶TO THE SKIN ▶Child: Apply 1–2 times a day, to be applied thinly ▶Adult: Apply 1–2 times a day, to be applied thinly POTENCY ▶Betamethasone valerate 0.025% cream and ointment: moderate. Betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream, lotion, ointment, and scalp application: potent. Betamethasone valerate 0.12% foam: potent. Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% cream, lotion, and ointment: potent. BETESIL ® Inflammatory skin disorders [unresponsive to less potent corticosteroids] ▶TO THE SKIN ▶Adult: Apply every 24 hours for up to 30 days, wait at least 30 minutes between applications, up to 6 medicated plasters may be used per day l UNLICENSED USE ▶With topical use in children Betacap ®, Betnovate ® and Betnovate-RD ® are not licensed for use in children under 1 year. Bettamousse ® is not licensed for use in children under 6 years.
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Use of more than 100 g per week of 0.1% preparation likely to cause adrenal suppression
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→Appendix 1: corticosteroids
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BETESIL ® Manufacturer advises cleanse and dry skin prior to plaster application. Plaster may be cut to fit area to be treated.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: cream, ointment Foam CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 15, 28 EXCIPIENTS: May contain Cetostearyl alcohol (including cetyl and stearyl alcohol), polysorbates, propylene glycol ▶Bettamousse (RPH Pharmaceuticals AB) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Bettamousse 0.1% cutaneous foam | 100 gram P £9.75 DT = £9.75 Medicated plaster ▶Betesil (Derma UK Ltd) Betamethasone valerate 2.25 mg Betesil 2.25mg medicated plasters | 4 plaster P £13.98 DT = £13.98 Cream CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 28 EXCIPIENTS: May contain Cetostearyl alcohol (including cetyl and stearyl alcohol), chlorocresol ▶Betamethasone (Non-proprietary) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream | 15 gram P £3.00 | 30 gram P £3.01 DT = £2.30 | 100 gram P £7.64 DT = £7.64 ▶Audavate (Accord Healthcare Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 250 microgram per 1 gram Audavate RD 0.025% cream | 100 gram P £2.99 DT = £3.15 Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Audavate 0.1% cream | 30 gram P £1.14 DT = £2.30 | 100 gram P £3.24 DT = £7.64 ▶Betnovate (GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 250 microgram per 1 gram Betnovate RD 0.025% cream | 100 gram P £3.15 DT = £3.15 Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Betnovate 0.1% cream | 30 gram P £1.43 DT = £2.30 | 100 gram P £4.05 DT = £7.64 ▶Diprosone (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone dipropionate) 500 microgram per 1 gram Diprosone 0.05% cream | 30 gram P £2.16 DT = £2.16 | 100 gram P £6.12 DT = £6.12 Ointment CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 28 ▶Betamethasone (Non-proprietary) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Betamethasone valerate 0.1% ointment | 30 gram P £1.97 DT = £1.97 | 100 gram P £6.57 DT = £6.57 ▶Audavate (Accord Healthcare Ltd, Auden McKenzie (Pharma Division) Skin Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 250 microgram per 1 gram Audavate RD 0.025% ointment | 100 gram P £2.99 DT = £3.15 Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Audavate 0.1% ointment | 30 gram P £1.36 DT = £1.97 | 100 gram P £3.85 DT = £6.57 ▶Betnovate (GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 250 microgram per 1 gram Betnovate RD 0.025% ointment | 100 gram P £3.15 DT = £3.15 Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Betnovate 0.1% ointment | 30 gram P £1.43 DT = £1.97 | 100 gram P £4.05 DT = £6.57 ▶Diprosone (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone dipropionate) 500 microgram per 1 gram Diprosone 0.05% ointment | 30 gram P £2.16 DT = £2.16 | 100 gram P £6.12 DT = £6.12 Liquid CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 15 (scalp lotion only), 28 EXCIPIENTS: May contain Cetostearyl alcohol (including cetyl and stearyl alcohol), hydroxybenzoates (parabens) ▶Betacap (Dermal Laboratories Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Betacap 0.1% scalp application | 100 ml P £3.75 DT = £3.75 ▶Betnovate (GlaxoSmithKline UK Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone valerate) 1 mg per 1 gram Betnovate 0.1% scalp application | 100 ml P £4.99 DT = £3.75 Betnovate 0.1% lotion | 100 ml P £4.58 DT = £4.58 ▶Diprosone (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd) Betamethasone (as Betamethasone dipropionate) 500 microgram per 1 ml Diprosone 0.05% lotion | 100 ml P £7.80 DT = £7.80 Combinations available: Betamethasone with clioquinol, p. 1314. Betamethasone with clotrimazole, p. 1314. Betamethasone with fusidic acid, p. 1314. Betamethasone with neomycin, p. 1315. Betamethasone with salicylic acid, p. 1315
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Patient counselling is advised for betamethasone cream, ointment, scalp application and foam (application). BETESIL ® Manufacturer advises avoid contact with water after plaster applied.
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Apply 1–2 times a day, to be applied thinly
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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Apply every 24 hours for up to 30 days, wait at
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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