Betamethasone dipropionate

What is Betamethasone dipropionate?

• Betamethasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.

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Betamethasone dipropionate

Betamethasone dipropionate

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What are the uses of this medicine?

• Betamethasone dipropionate is a prescription corticosteroid medicine used on the skin (topical) for the relief of redness, swelling, heat, pain (inflammation) and itching, caused by certain skin problems in people 13 years of age and older.

How does this medicine work?

• Corticosteroids play a role in cellular signaling, immune function, inflammation, and protein regulation; however, the precise mechanism of action of Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP (Augmented), 0.05% in corticosteroid responsive dermatoses is unknown.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients who:

• are allergic to betamethasone dipropionate or any of the ingredients in Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• other corticosteroid medicines by mouth or injection or use other products on your skin or scalp that contain corticosteroids.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Initial U.S. Approval: 1983

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• Apply a thin film of Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP (Augmented), 0.05% to the affected skin areas once or twice daily.
• Therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved.
• Treatment with Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP (Augmented), 0.05% should not exceed 50 g per week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
• Do not use with occlusive dressings unless directed by a physician.
• Avoid use on the face, groin, or axillae, or if skin atrophy is present at the treatment site.

Administration:

• Betamethasone comes in ointment, cream, lotion, gel, and aerosol (spray) in various strengths for use on the skin and as a foam to apply to the scalp.
• It is usually applied once or twice daily.
• Your skin condition should improve during the first 2 weeks of your treatment.
• To use betamethasone topical, apply a small amount of ointment, cream, solution, gel, or lotion to cover the affected area of skin with a thin even film and rub it in gently.
• To use the foam on your scalp, part your hair, apply a small amount of the medicine on the affected area, and rub it in gently. You may wash your hair as usual but not right after applying the medicine.
• Betamethasone foam may catch fire. Stay away from open fire, flames, and do not smoke while you are applying betamethasone foam, and for a short time afterward.
• Wash your hands after applying Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream.
• Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
• If you are using betamethasone on a child's diaper area, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants. Such use may increase side effects.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As ointment, cream, lotion, gel, and aerosol (spray)

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Alphatrex
• Beta-Val
• Betaderm
• Betatrex
• Celestone
• Dermabet
• Diprolene
• Diprosone
• Luxiq
• Sernivo
• Uticort
• Valisone
• Valnac

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include: In adults:

• stinging

In children:

• thinning of the skin (atrophy)
• tiny red lines or blood vessels showing under the skin (telangiectasia)
• bruising and shininess

Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP, may cause serious side effects, including:

• can pass through your skin
• Cushing’s syndrome
• hyperglycemia
• Effects on growth and weight in children
• Vision problems
• Skin problems

What special precautions should I follow?

• Dipropionate Cream can cause reversible HPA axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency during and after withdrawal of treatment. Risk factor(s) include the use of high-potency topical corticosteroids, use over a large surface area or to areas under occlusion, prolonged use, altered skin barrier, liver failure, and use in pediatric patients. Modify use should HPA axis suppression develop.
• Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream may increase the risk of cataracts and glaucoma. If visual symptoms occur, consider referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation.
• Allergic contact dermatitis with corticosteroids is usually diagnosed by observing failure to heal rather than noting a clinical exacerbation. If irritation develops, topical corticosteroids should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.
• Use no more than 50 grams per week.
• Avoid contact with the eyes.
• Advise patients to report any visual symptoms to their healthcare providers.
• Avoid use of Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP (Augmented), 0.05% on the face, underarms, or groin areas unless directed by the physician.
• Do not occlude the treatment area with bandage or other covering, unless directed by the physician.
• Advise breastfeeding women not to apply Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP (Augmented), 0.05% directly to the nipple and areola to avoid direct infant exposure.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• There are no available data on Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream use in pregnant women to identify a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Use of Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream in pediatric patients younger than 13 years of age is not recommended due to the potential for HPA axis suppression.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredients:

• Betamethasone Dipropionate

Inactive Ingredients:

• CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C
• CETEARETH-30
• CHLOROCRESOL
• CYCLOMETHICONE
• GLYCERYL OLEATE
• PROPYLENE GLYCOL
• WATER
• SODIUM HYDROXIDE
• SORBITOL
• PETROLATUM
• WHITE WAX

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

• Manufactured By Perrigo, Bronx, NY

Distributed By:

• Perrigo®
• Allegan, MI

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP, 0.05% (Augmented) at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).

• Dailymed label info on Betamethasone dipropionate
• FDA Betamethasone dipropionate

Betamethasone dipropionate Resources
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