Augmented vs. Regular Betamethasone: What’s the Difference?
Key takeaways:
Betamethasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid (“steroid”) medication that’s applied to your skin. It comes in regular and augmented forms.
Compared to a regular topical medication, an augmented medication absorbs through your skin more efficiently. This generally makes it stronger (more potent).
Your healthcare provider can help you choose the best version of betamethasone for your situation. There are a few factors that go into this decision, such as the location and severity of your skin symptoms.
Topical corticosteroids are a popular group of medications that treat many skin conditions, ranging from eczema and psoriasis to alopecia. Known simply as topical steroids, these medications are available in the U.S. in various forms. You can find them as over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products, both brand and generic.
One topical steroid is betamethasone dipropionate. It’s a prescription-only medication that can treat itchiness or skin inflammation that’s causing a stir. It’s available as regular and augmented versions. But depending on your situation, one version may be better for your symptoms than the other.
What’s the difference between regular betamethasone dipropionate and augmented betamethasone dipropionate?
Betamethasone diproprionate comes in a regular form and an augmented form. The augmented version is modified (altered) so it can absorb through your skin better and faster. Augmented betamethasone dipropionate is stronger (more potent) than the regular version.
The two betamethasone formulations have a few other differences:
| Betametasone dipropionate | Augmented betamethasone dipropionate | |
|---|---|---|
| Available brand names | Sernivo (spray only) | Diprolene (ointment only) |
| Discontinued brand names | Alphatrex Diprosone |
Diprolene (cream, gel only) Diprolene AF |
| Available as a generic? | Yes | Yes |
| Dosage forms (formulations) | Cream Ointment Lotion Spray — brand-name only |
Cream Ointment Lotion Gel |
| Strength | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 2 times per day | 1 to 2 times per day |
There’s also another common version of betamethasone. It’s called betamethasone valerate. It’s similar to regular betamethasone dipropionate, but it’s less potent (weaker).
What is the advantage of using augmented betamethasone dipropionate?
Augmented betamethasone dipropionate is more potent than the regular version. This is helpful for serious skin conditions that benefit from steroids of this strength. Examples include alopecia, psoriasis, and eczema that won’t respond to other treatments.
However, high potency steroids aren’t always necessary. Your healthcare provider may recommend a lower potency steroid in many situations, such as minor eczema or anal inflammation.
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High potency steroids also tend to cause more side effects than lower potency steroids. This is why they should generally be used on thick areas of skin. If they’re used on a part of the skin that’s too thin, like your face, groin, or armpits, too much medication could enter your body.
What type of steroid is augmented betamethasone dipropionate?
Topical corticosteroids are sorted into groups based on their potency. These groups are ranked from 1 to 6. Group 1 steroids are “super high potency” steroids, and group 6 steroids are the least potent steroids.
Augmented betamethasone dipropionate ointments and gels are group 1 (super high potency) steroids. Augmented betamethasone dipropionate creams and lotions are slightly less potent. They’re group 2 (high potency) steroids.
For comparison, OTC hydrocortisone cream is a group 6 (low potency) steroid.
What type of steroid is regular betamethasone dipropionate?
Regular betamethasone dipropionate creams are less potent than their augmented equivalents. They’re group 3 (medium-to-high potency) steroids. But the regular betamethasone dipropionate ointment is similar to the augmented creams and lotions mentioned above. It’s a group 2 steroid.
Lower potency steroids — like betamethasone dipropionate cream and lotion — may be better if you need to treat a large area of your body. This way you’re less likely to have negative side effects that way. Medium-to-high potency steroids are also preferred over high and super-high potency steroids for certain health conditions.
Which betamethasone dipropionate product should you use?
One version of betamethasone isn’t better than the rest. It varies by situation.
Ultimately, your healthcare provider will help you choose the best topical steroid for your situation. These are some key considerations that help determine whether you need an augmented or regular version of betamethasone dipropionate, such as:
Your skin condition being treated
How severe your symptoms are
Where your symptoms are located on your body
Your medical history
Your insurance coverage status
The best betamethasone formulation is also unique. For example, your healthcare provider may prescribe an ointment over a cream or lotion if your skin needs a thick, protective layer of medication in order to heal. But they could choose a cream or lotion if your skin is oozing or crusting.
A comparison of ointments versus creams versus lotions is discussed more in a previous GoodRx Health article.
The bottom line
There are two versions of betamethasone dipropionate. There’s a regular version and an augmented version.
The augmented version absorbs through your skin more efficiently than the regular version, but one isn’t considered better than the other. They’re each useful in different situations.
There’s also another common version of betamethasone, called betamethasone valerate, that’s less potent than either version of betamethasone dipropionate. Your healthcare provider can help you choose the best product for your situation.
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References
E. Fougera & Co. (2022). Betamethasone dipropionate [package insert].
Ference, J. D., et al. (2009). Choosing topical corticosteroids. American Family Physician.
Mehta, A. B., et al. (2016). Topical corticosteroids in dermatology. Indian Journal of Dermatology.
Organon LLC. (2022). Diprolene [package insert].
Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (2021). Betamethasone dipropionate [package insert].
Primus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2022). Sernivo [package insert].
