Advice to patients (37) Betamethasone valerate cream and ointment
- Betamethasone is used to reduce inflammation of the skin, making it less
red and itchy.
- A thin layer is usually smoothed gently into the affected skin once or twice
a day. Unless you have been told to by the doctor, do not use it on the face.
- If you are using a simple emollient or moisturising product at the same
time, apply the betamethasone first.
- Unless you are using the cream/ointment on the hands, wash your hands after
use.
- If the skin problem gets worse, stop using the cream/ointment and tell your
doctor straight away. You should see some improvement within a week or two.
- Side effects are unlikely unless you use a lot of the cream/ointment continuously
for a long time. Side effects include thinning of the skin and, rarely, allergy
to one of the ingredients.
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by
pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended
as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed
medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important
points.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone
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