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Betnovate 0.1% Cream & Ointment
Medication features
- Short term treatment of skin condition including eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis
- Used to help reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems
- Break the itch-scratch cycle
- To stop the skin's over-reaction to the triggers
- For itchy, red, dry skin
- Cream base also has moisturising properties
Overview
Eczema Doctor Service
Betnovate cream is an anti-inflammatory steroid and it is a short term treatment of skin conditions including eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
This cream contains a medicine called betamethasone valerate and belongs to a group of medicines called steroids that reduce swelling and irritation. Betnovate is used to help reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
You can order Betnovate online from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. To see if you are suitable for this treatment, complete the online assessment and checkout. Our UK registered doctors will review the order and after approval pass the prescription to the Pharmacy team. We will then dispense and dispatch your order to your chosen address.
Eczema Symptoms
Atopic eczema causes areas of skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore. The severity of atopic eczema can vary a lot from person to person. People with mild eczema may only have small areas of dry skin that are occasionally itchy. In more severe cases, atopic eczema can cause widespread inflamed skin all over the body and constant itching.
Scratching can disrupt your sleep, make your skin bleed, and cause secondary infections. It can also make itching worse, and a cycle of itching and regular scratching may develop. This can lead to sleepless nights and difficulty concentrating at day time.
There are usually periods where the symptoms improve, followed by periods where they get worse (flare-ups). Flare-ups may occur as often as 2 or 3 times a month.
Atopic eczema can occur all over the body, but is most common on the hands (especially fingers), the insides of the elbows or backs of the knees, and the face and scalp in children.
Treatments
Treatments for atopic eczema can help to ease the symptoms. The main treatments for atopic eczema are:
- emollients (moisturisers) – used every day to stop the skin becoming dry
- topical corticosteroids – creams and ointments used to reduce swelling and redness during flare-ups.
Other Treatments Include:
- topical pimecrolimus or tacrolimus for eczema in sensitive sites not responding to simpler treatment
- antihistamines for severe itching
- bandages or special body suits to allow the body to heal underneath
- more powerful treatments offered by a dermatologist (skin specialist)
More About Managing Eczema & Dermatitis
- Skin specialists often advise people with eczema or dermatitis to use emollient (moisturising) skin products, including creams and bath oils, to keep moisture in the skin. This can make your skin more resistant to flare-ups. Avoid using soap and heavily scented products.
If A Rash Comes Back
Sometimes people with dermatitis find their rash soon comes back after treatment, or never disappears completely. This is often because they are still in contact with their trigger i.e. what causes the reaction. If you can’t work out what’s wrong, ask your doctor for advice.
This Steroid Comes In Different Forms
All three formulations (Betnovate cream, Ointment, and Scalp Application) contain 0.1% betamethasone valerate.
- Betnovate 0.1% Cream
- Betnovate 0.1% Ointment
- Betnovate 0.1% Scalp Application
FAQ
About topical corticosteroids
If your skin is sore and inflamed, a GP may prescribe a topical corticosteroid (applied directly to your skin), which can reduce the inflammation within a few days.
Topical corticosteroids can be prescribed in different strengths, depending on the severity of your atopic eczema and the areas of skin affected.
They can be:
- very mild (such as hydrocortisone)
- moderate (such as betamethasone valerate and clobetasone butyrate)
- strong (such as a higher dose of betamethasone valerate and betamethasone dipropionate)
- very strong (such as clobetasol propionate and diflucortolone valerate).
If you need to use corticosteroids frequently, see a GP regularly so they can check the treatment is working effectively and you're using the right amount.
How to reduce the damage from scratching
Eczema is often itchy, and it can be very tempting to scratch the affected areas of skin. But scratching usually damages the skin, which can itself cause more eczema to occur. The skin eventually thickens into leathery areas as a result of chronic scratching. Deep scratching also causes bleeding and increases the risk of your skin becoming infected or scarred.
Try to reduce scratching whenever possible. You could try gently rubbing your skin with your fingers instead. If your baby has atopic eczema, anti-scratch mittens may stop them scratching their skin.
- Keep your nails short and clean to minimise damage to the skin from unintentional scratching.
- Keep your skin covered with light clothing to reduce damage from habitual scratching.
Avoid triggers
A GP will work with you to establish what might trigger the eczema flare-ups, although it may get better or worse for no obvious reason.
Once you know your triggers, you can try to avoid them.
For example:
- if certain fabrics irritate your skin, avoid wearing these and stick to soft, fine-weave clothing or natural materials such as cotton
- if heat aggravates your eczema, keep the rooms in your home cool, especially the bedroom
- avoid using soaps or detergents that may affect your skin – use soap substitutes instead.
Common triggers
- Jewellery including earrings or studs (especially gold-plated earrings)
- Coins
- Watch buckles, metal straps or the metal back of a watch
- Metal studs or fastenings on jeans, bras or underwear.
All of these have a metal in them called nickel, which is a very common trigger. If you react badly to nickel, all of the triggers in the list could be a problem. So if you’ve reacted badly to one of the common triggers, you’ll need to watch out for the other common triggers.
Other common triggers
Triggers include rubber and pine tree sap, which are used in all sorts of items we touch every day. You might find triggers:
In the home: such as plasters, furniture polish, varnishes, rubber gloves or elastic in clothes.
In substances you use at work: such as glues, oils, lubricants or cement.
In the garden: certain plants and weeds, gardening gloves.
Although some people with eczema are allergic to house dust mites, trying to rid your home of them is not recommended as it can be difficult and there's no clear evidence that it helps.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.
Possible side effects
Stop using Betnovate and tell your doctor immediately if:
- you find that your skin condition gets worse, you develop a generalised rash or your skin becomes swollen during treatment. You may be allergic to Betnovate, have an infection or need other treatment.
- you have psoriasis and get raised bumps with pus under the skin. This can happen very rarely during or after treatment and is known as pustular psoriasis.
Other side effects you may notice when using Betnovate include:
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
- a feeling of burning, pain, irritation or itching where the cream is applied.
Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
- an increased risk of infection
- an allergic skin reaction where the cream is applied
- rash, itchy bumpy skin or redness of the skin
- thinning and dryness of your skin and it may also damage or wrinkle more easily
- stretch marks may develop
- blood vessels under the surface of your skin may become more noticeable
- an increase or reduction in hair growth or hair loss and changes in skin colour
- weight gain, rounding of the face.
- delayed weight gain or slowing of growth in children
- bones can become thin, weak and break easily
- cloudy lens in the eye (cataract) or increased pressure in eye (glaucoma)
- a decrease in the level of the hormone cortisol in your blood
- increased blood sugar levels or sugar in the urine
- high blood pressure
Not Known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
- blurred vision
For a full list of side effects, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
Info Leaflet
Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.
Patient Information Leaflet Betnovate 0.1% Cream 30g
Other medicines and Betnovate
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this cream if you are taking any over the counter or prescription medicines.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicine, especially if you are taking Ritonavir and Itraconazole medications.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or are breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
Betnovate Cream contains chloroscresol and cetostearyl alcohol. Betnovate cream contains chlorocresol which may cause allergic reactions and cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
How to store Betnovate
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the tube or carton after (EXP). The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store above 25°C.
- Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Directions
How to use Eumovate
For external use only.
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
You usually apply Betnovate once or twice a day. This may be reduced as your skin begins to get better.
- This cream is for use on your skin only.
- Do not use more than the amount prescribed for you.
- Do not use on large areas of the body for a long time (such as every day for many weeks or months) - unless your doctor tells you to.
- The germs that cause infections like warm, moist conditions under bandages or dressings so always clean the skin before a fresh dressing is put on.
- If your skin problem does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks, talk to your doctor.
If you are applying the cream on someone else make sure you wash your hands after use or wear disposable plastic gloves.
Directions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) and gently rub into the skin until it has all disappeared. You can measure how much Betnovate to use with your fingertip. For children you will need to use less cream but still use an adult finger to measure out the fingertip unit.
Do not worry if you find you need a little more or less than this. It is only a rough guide.
3. Unless you are meant to apply the cream to your hands as a part of the treatment, wash them again after using the cream.
Children
Do not use it on children under 1 year of age.
- It is especially important in children not to exceed the prescribed amount.
- A course of treatment for a child should not normally last more than 5 days - unless your doctor has told you to use it for longer.
If you have psoriasis
If you have thick patches of psoriasis on your elbows or knees, your doctor may suggest applying the cream under an airtight dressing. It will only be at night to help the cream to start working. After a short period of time you will then apply the cream as normal.
If you apply Betnovate to your face
You should only apply the cream to your face if your doctor tells you to. It should not be used for more than 5 days, as the skin on your face thins easily. Do not let the cream get into your eyes.
If you use more Betnovate than you should
If you apply too much or if accidentally swallowed, it could make you ill. Talk to your doctor or go to the hospital as soon as possible.
If you forget to use Betnovate
If you forget to apply your cream, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time you are next meant to apply it, wait until this time.
If you stop using Betnovate
If you use Betnovate regularly make sure you talk to your doctor before you stop using it as your condition may get worse if stopped suddenly.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Warnings
Do not use Betnovate:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to betamethasone valerate or any of the other ingredients of Betnovate
- on a child under 1 year
- to treat any of the following skin problems, it could make them worse:
- acne
- severe flushing of skin on and around your nose (rosacea)
- spotty red rash around your mouth (perioral dermatitis)
- itching around your back passage or private parts
- infected skin (unless the infection is being treated with an anti-infective medicine at the same time)
- itchy skin which is not inflamed
Do not use if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Betnovate.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Betnovate if:
- you have previously had an allergic reaction with another steroid
- you are applying the cream under an airtight dressing, including a child’s nappy. These dressings make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin. It is possible to accidentally end up using too much.
- you have psoriasis, your doctor will want to see you more often.
- using for a chronic leg ulcer as you may be at increased risk of loca
- allergic reaction or infection.
- you are applying to a large surface area
- you are applying the cream on broken skin or within the skin folds.
- you are applying near eyes or on eyelids, as cataracts or glaucoma may result if the cream repeatedly enters the eye.
- you have an infection of the skin as this will need to be treated
- you are applying to thin skin such as the face or on children as their skin is thinner than adults and as a result may absorb larger amounts.
Dressing or bandages should not be used on children or on the face where the cream is applied. Use on children or on the face should be limited to 5 days.
Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
Do not smoke or go near naked flames due to the risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressing etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Ingredients
What Betnovate cream contains
The active ingredient is betamethasone valerate. Each 1 g contains 1 mg of betamethasone (0.1% w/w) as valerate.
The other ingredients are chlorocresol, cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, sodium acid phosphate, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water.
What Betnovate looks like and contents of the pack
Within each carton is a tube with a plastic screw cap, which contains either 30 g or 100 g of cream.
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