betamethasone dipropionate
Betamethasone is a potent (strong) medication used to relieve the inflammation (redness, swelling, warmth, pain) and itching from different skin conditions. This medication is available as many different formulations, but most can only be used for up to 2 weeks at a time.
What is Betamethasone?
What is Betamethasone used for?
- Inflammation and itchy skin conditions
- Mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis in people 18 years or older - Sernivo brand only
How Betamethasone works
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid. It provides relief for certain skin conditions by lessening the release of chemicals in your body that cause swelling and inflammation.
Drug facts
More on Betamethasone essentials
Side effects of Betamethasone
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Burning or stinging of the skin
- Itchy skin
- Skin irritation
- Dry skin
- Skin redness
Less Common Side Effects
- Inflamed hair follicles
- Small acne-like bumps
- Lightening of the skin color
- Skin broken down by moisture
- Thinning of the skin
- Stretch marks
- Skin infection
- Red rash around the mouth
- Heat rash
- Allergic skin rash
Betamethasone serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reactions: skin rash, fluid-filled blisters, really itchy skin
- Eye problems: blurry vision, changes to eyesight
The following Betamethasone side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
cracking or tightening of the skin
flushing or redness of the skin
irritation
itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (eg, between the fingers)
unusually warm skin
Rare
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Raised, dark red, or wart-like spots on the skin, especially when used on the face
Incidence not known
burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
lightening of normal skin color
lightening of treated areas of dark skin
reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
softening of the skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Betamethasone
Pros
- Available as different formulations (creams, ointments, gels, lotions, sprays, and foams)
- Certain forms can be used in both children and adults.
- Most available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
- Can affect hormone levels
- Can't be applied to sensitive areas like the face, groin, or armpit
- Most products can't be used for longer than 2 weeks at a time.
Pharmacist tips for Betamethasone
- Only use betamethasone as directed by your provider and for the skin condition they prescribed it for. This medication might not work for all skin problems.
- Apply betamethasone to the outside of your skin only. Don't apply it in your eyes or genitals.
- Wash your hands after each time you apply betamethasone.
- Don't use more than one corticosteroid-containing medication(s) at one time without talking to your provider, because it can raise your risk of side effects.
- Let your provider know if you experience any skin irritation, side effects, or vision changes.
- If you're applying betamethasone on your child's diaper area, don't use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants to avoid skin irritation.
- Sernivo spray: Shake the bottle well before using. Throw the medication bottle away after 4 weeks to make sure that you aren't using it for longer than directed.
- Betamethasone foam for the scalp: Make sure you turn the can upside down to get the medication out, and dispense the medication onto a saucer or other cool, clean surface. Don't put the foam directly onto your hands, because it can start melting into your hands before you can use it. Once the medication is out on a surface, pick up small amounts with your fingers and gently massage into the affected area until the foam disappears. Repeat the process for the entire affected scalp area. Don't wash the treated area right after applying the foam.
- The betamethasone foam is flammable and can catch on fire, so keep the medication away from fire, open flame, or direct heat. Don't smoke while using or holding the can.
- Let your provider know if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It's not known if betamethasone can harm your unborn baby. Using a large amount of certain formulations of betamethasone, like the augmented forms and Sernivo spray, or using them for a long period of time during pregnancy can raise the risk of low birth weight in infants. If you have to use this medication while pregnant, apply it on the smallest area of the skin and use for the shortest period of time possible. Discuss with your provider about the risks and benefits of using betamethasone while pregnant.
- It's not known if this medication can pass into your breastmilk, so discuss the risks with your provider before breastfeeding. If you have to use betamethasone while breastfeeding, don't apply it directly on the nipple and areola (skin around the nipple).
Common questions about Betamethasone
For most formulations of betamethasone, you can use it for up to 2 weeks in a row, unless your provider tells you otherwise. For the Sernivo spray, you can use it for up to 4 weeks. Let your provider know if your skin condition doesn't get better after 2 weeks (or 4 weeks for Sernivo). They will determine if you should continue or change your treatment plan. Stop using betamethasone once your skin condition is under control.
Unless directed by your provider, avoid using betamethasone on the face, groin, armpit, or areas where the skin has been thinned out. Also, avoid the scalp if you're using the Sernivo spray. The skin in these areas are thinner and are more sensitive, so there is a higher risk of side effects or irritation. Only apply betamethasone on the outside of your skin. Don't put it in your eyes or genitals.
No, you shouldn't use anything to cover the treated area. Doing so can cause your body to absorb more medication and you could develop more side effects, such as skin irritation.
Betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone valerate are different chemical forms of the steroid medication betamethasone. These two chemical forms of betamethasone differ in how potent (strong) they are to treat your skin condition. Betamethasone dipropionate is generally stronger than betamethasone valerate. These two chemical forms of betamethasone also differ in the dosage formulations (e.g., cream, ointment, spray) they come in.
The augmented formulations are made to absorb through the skin faster and better. This means they're stronger and work faster than regular formulations of betamethasone. Augmented betamethasone isn't approved for young children. The amount of medication they absorb might be too much for their body, so they're at a higher risk of hormone changes and skin irritation.
Speak with your provider to get the best formulation for you or your child, because certain forms can't be used in children. Betamethasone dipropionate lotion and most of the augmented formulations are only approved for children 13 years of age or older. The augmented gel formulation is only approved for children 12 years of age or older.
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Risks and warnings for Betamethasone
Betamethasone can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Changes in hormone levels
- Risk factors: Using potent (strong) corticosteroids | Using betamethasone for a long time | Using betamethasone on a large area | Covering the treated area | Using on damaged skin | Liver failure | Children
Betamethasone can pass through your skin and cause changes to your body's hormone levels, especially if this medication is used for a long period of time or used over a large area. Covering the treated area can affect hormone levels as well. Although this problem is reversible, hormone changes can include glucocorticosteroid (or adrenal) insufficiency, a condition called Cushing's syndrome, high blood sugar, and sugar in the urine. Children are at higher risk of experiencing these effects, because their body might be too small to handle the amount of medication that gets absorbed. Rarely, hormone changes in children due to topical betamethasone can lead to slow growth and delayed weight gain. In general, hormone changes from betamethasone can happen during your treatment or after you stop using the medication. Depending on your usage, your provider might monitor your hormone levels often.
Eye problems
Certain formulations of betamethasone, such as the augmented forms and Sernivo spray, might raise the risk of eye problems like cataracts and glaucoma. Avoid getting betamethasone in your eyes. Let your provider know right away if you have blurry vision or changes to your eyesight.
Skin infections
Although rare, betamethasone might weaken your immune system and raise your risk of getting infections. If you experience a skin infection while using betamethasone, speak to your provider to get the appropriate treatment for the infection. If your infection doesn't improve, your provider might temporarily stop betamethasone until your infection clears up.
Allergic skin reactions
Betamethasone might cause an allergic reaction and prevent your skin from healing properly, especially after a cut or wound. Let your provider know if you experience any skin irritation while using betamethasone.
Betamethasone dosage
Typical dosage for Betamethasone
Betamethasone dipropionate
- Cream or ointment: Apply a thin film to the affected area once or twice daily as directed.
- Augmented cream, ointment, or gel: Apply a thin film to the affected area once or twice daily as directed. Don't use more than 50 grams per week.
- Lotion: Apply a few drops to the affected area twice daily and massage lightly until it disappears.
- Augmented lotion: Apply a few drops to the affected area once or twice daily and massage lightly until it disappears. Don't use more than 50 mL per week.
- Spray (Sernivo brand): Apply to the affected area twice daily.
Betamethasone valerate
- Cream or ointment: Apply a thin film to the affected area one to three times daily.
- Lotion: Apply a few drops to the affected area twice daily and massage lightly until it disappears. Once the skin improves, you can apply once daily.
- Foam (for scalp only): Apply to the affected scalp area twice daily. Gently massage into skin until it disappears.
Interactions between Betamethasone and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Betamethasone cost?
$15.13
What are alternatives to Betamethasone?
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