Betamethasone Valerate BP is a synthetic adrenocorticosteroid, which is glucocorticoid in nature. It is an analog of prednisolone that also possesses a slight degree of mineral corticosteroid activity. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive activity, it is very effective and suitable for dermatological use. It is absorbed from the skin and inflammation and/or another disease process in the skin increase percutaneous absorption from the skin. Occlusive dressings substantially increase its percutaneous absorption.

Betamethasone Valerate cream or ointment is indicated for the treatment of-

• Eczema in children and adults including atopic
• Infantile and descoid eczema
• Prurigo nodularis
• Psoriasis (excluding wide spread plaque psoriasis)
• Neurodermatoses including lichen simplex and lichen planus
• Seborrhoic dermatitis
• Contact sensitivity reaction
• Discoid lupus erythematoses and may be used as adjunct to systemic steroid therapy in generalized erythroderma.

Apply sparingly to the affected area two or three times daily until improvement occurs, then twice daily or less. The usual maximum duration of therapy is three weeks.

Betamethasone Valerate cream or ointment is contraindicated in the following conditions :

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the preparation.
• Rosaceae & acne vulgaris.
• Perioral dermatitis, perianal & genital pruritis.
• Viral infections of the skin, e.g. herpes simplex & chicken pox.
• Primary infected skin lesions caused by fungi or bacteria.
• Dermatoses in children under one year of age.

The following local adverse reactions are more common with the use of high doses, long term use and with the use of occlusive dressings of Cream/Ointment: dryness, itching, burning, skin thinning, local irritation, features of hypercorticolism, telagiectasia, striaea, skin atrophy. hypertrichosis, change in pigmentation, secondary infection, perioral dermatiis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, acneform eruption, exacerbation of symptoms.

Betamethasone Cream/Ointment is usually well tolerated but if signs of hypersensitivity appear, application should be stopped. Long term continuous topical therapy should be avoided where possible, particularly in children as adrenal suppression may occur even without occlusion. When extensive areas are treated, sufficient systemic absorption may occur to produce symptoms of hypercorticolism. This effect is more likely if occlusive dressings are used, or if the treatment is prolonged. The face or other areas of the body may exhibit atrophic changes after prolonged treatment. If applied to the eyelids, care is needed to ensure that the preparation does not enter the eye, as glaucoma might result. Any spread of the infection requires withdrawal of topical corticosteroid therapy.

Pregnancy & Lactation

It should not be used extensively in pregnancy.