1. What this product is and what it is used for

Betasone contains a medicine called betamethasone valerate. It belongs to a group of medicines called steroids that reduce swelling and irritation.

Betasone is used to help reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.

2. What you need to know before you use this product

Do not use Betasone:

•  if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to betamethasone valerate or any of the other ingredients in this medicine  (listed in Section 6)

•  on a child under 1 year

•  to treat any of the following skin problems, it could make them worse:

-  acne

-  severe flushing of skin on and around your nose (rosacea)

-  spotty red rash around your mouth (perioral dermatitis)

-  itching around your back passage or private parts

-  infected skin (unless the infection is being treated with an anti-infective medicine at the same time)

-  itchy skin which is not inflamed

Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Betasone.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Betasone if:

•  you have previously had an allergic reaction with another steroid

•  you are applying the Betasone under an airtight dressing, including a child’s nappy. These dressings make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin. It is possible to accidentally end up using too much

•  you have psoriasis, your doctor will want to see you more often.

•  using for a chronic leg ulcer as you may be at increased risk of local allergic reaction or infection

•  you are applying to a large surface area

•  you are applying the Betasone on broken skin or within the skin folds

•  you are applying near eyes or on eyelids, as cataracts or glaucoma may result if the Betasone repeatedly enters the eye

•  you have an infection of the skin as this will need to be treated

•  you are applying to thin skin such as the face or on children as their skin is thinner than adults and as a result may absorb larger amounts

Dressing or bandages should not be used on children or on the face where the Betasone is applied.

Use on children or on the face should be limited to 5 days

Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

If there is a worsening of your condition during use consult your prescriber – you may be experiencing an allergic reaction, have an infection or your condition requires a different treatment.

Do not smoke or go near naked flames due to the risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressing etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard.

Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.

If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine

If you experience a recurrence of your condition shortly after stopping treatment, within 2 weeks, do not restart using the cream/ointment without consulting your prescriber unless your prescriber has previously advised you to so. If your condition has resolved and on recurrence the redness extends beyond the initial treatment area and you experience a burning sensation, please seek medical advice before restarting treatment.

Other medicines and Betasone

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicine, especially if you are taking ritonavir and itraconazole medications

Pregnancy and breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or are breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine

Important information about some ingredient of Betasone

Betasone cream contains:

•   Chlorocresol which may cause allergic reactions.

•   Cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

3. How to use this product.

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Using this medicine

•  You usually apply Betasone once or twice a day. This may be reduced as your skin begins to get better.

•  Betasone is for use on your skin only.

•  Do not use more than the amount prescribed for you.

•  Do not use on large areas of the body for a long time (such as every day for many weeks or months)

- unless your doctor tells you to.

•  The germs that cause infections like warm, moist conditions under bandages or dressings so always clean the skin before a fresh dressing is put on.

•  If you are applying Betasone on someone else make sure you wash your hands after use or wear disposable plastic gloves.

•  If your skin problem does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks, talk to your doctor.

Guidance on how to apply the Betasone

1.  Wash your hands.

2.  Apply a thin layer to the affected area(s) and gently rub into the skin until it has all disappeared. You can measure how much Betasone to use with your fingertip. For children you will need to use less amounts but still use an adult finger to measure out the fingertip unit.

3.  Unless you are meant to apply Betasone to your hands as a part of the treatment, wash them again after using Betasone