Betamethasone Valerate Cream 0.1%

What is Betamethasone Valerate Cream 0.1%?

Betamethasone Valerate cream is a type of topical corticosteroid and is applied directly to the skin to reduce inflammation and irritation, particularly from eczema.

Betamethasone is more suitable for moist, raw and weeping areas of the skin. A more greasy ointment is suitable for areas of the skin that appear drier and cracked.

You must have a prescription to buy Betamethasone Valerate cream. 

What is Betamethasone Valerate cream used to treat?

Betamethasone Valerate cream is commonly used in the treatment of a number of skin conditions. It is widely prescribed to treat cases of severe eczema that cause itchiness of the surrounding areas of the skin. It can also treat other skin conditions, such as psoriasis.

When treating eczema, Betamethasone Valerate should be applied thinly and generously to the affected area, ensuring that any excess is fully rubbed into the skin.

Why is Betamethasone Valerate cream recommended for eczema?

When topically applied, Betamethasone Valerate cream will work directly within your skin cells and decrease the inflammatory chemicals. It also reduces the swelling and redness that is often accompanied by skin conditions. It is also commonly used for other inflammations, such as bodily reactions, insect bites, stings and allergies.

Betamethasone Valerate is available in several forms such as lotion, cream and soap. 

It can also be used by adults and children. 

How does Betamethasone Valerate work?

Betamethasone valerate is a corticosteroid (steroid) medicine. Steroids can help to reduce skin inflammation.

Your skin becomes inflamed when irritation or an allergic reaction causes chemicals to be released in the skin. As a result, your blood vessels widen and the irritated area of skin becomes red, itchy and inflamed.

Betamethasone Valerate works by stopping the inflammatory chemicals from being released, which also helps to relieve irritation and redness of the skin.

Who can use Betamethasone?

Betamethasone is safe for most adults and children to use, but it is not suitable for everyone.

Do not use Betamethasone cream to treat any of the following conditions; it could make them worse:

• Itchy skin that is not inflamed
• Acne
• Infected skin (unless it is being treated with an anti-infective medicine at the same time)
• Itching around your anus or genitals
• Rosacea
• Perioral dermatitis

Before using Betamethasone, tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• You have previously suffered an allergic reaction to any steroid
• You are applying the cream under an airtight dressing, including a baby's nappy
• You have psoriasis (your doctor will need to see you more frequently)
• You are applying it to a large surface area
• You are applying the treatment to skin folds or broken skin
• You have an untreated skin infection (this will need to be treated)
• You are using the treatment for a chronic leg ulcer
• You are applying it on or near the eyelids (if the cream repeatedly gets into the eyes, it can cause cataracts or glaucoma)
• You are applying it to thin skin, such as on your face or on children's skin, which is thinner than adults

Do not use this cream on your face for longer than 5 days.

Do not use Betamethasone cream on children who are under 1 year old.

Can you buy Betamethasone Valerate over the counter in the UK?

No, you cannot buy Betamethasone Valerate 0.01% cream over the counter. It must be prescribed by a doctor. 

Can you buy Betamethasone Valerate Online?

Yes, this medicine can be bought online from most UK online pharmacies. However, due to the steroid present in this medicine, you will have to complete an online consultation in order for a doctor or healthcare professional to assess your condition to ensure you are receiving the most suitable treatment for your condition.

Betamethasone Valerate alternatives

Betamethasone valerate is the active ingredient contained in a number of different topical treatments for eczema and other skin problems. It is combined with other medicines in some treatments, too, such as Betamethasone Valerate with Neomycin Cream, which combines the corticosteroid with an antibiotic to fight against infection while also reducing inflammation.

Betnovate also contains betamethasone valerate as its active ingredient. This branded version of betamethasone valerate comes available as a cream or ointment, meaning it can treat a range of skin types. Ointments are generally better suited to treating very dry skin.

Clobetasone cream is another corticosteroid treatment available, although this medicine does not require a prescription. As well as generic Clobetasone Cream, this medicine is also contained in Eumovate cream and ointment, which can be ordered from our online pharmacy after an online consultation.

Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% Cream Dosage

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Betamethasone cream.

Betamethasone cream is for external use only. Do not swallow the cream and keep it away from your mouth, eyes and nostrils.

Do not use more than the prescribed amount. This is particularly important for children.

Do not use this steroid treatment on large areas of the body for a long time, such as every day for weeks or months. This may cause thinning of the skin.

Speak to your doctor if your skin does not improve after 2 to 4 weeks of using this treatment.

How to apply Betamethasone

You will normally be instructed to apply this treatment once or twice daily. As your skin starts to improve, this dosage may be reduced.

1. Wash your hands before applying this cream.
2. Apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected area(s) and gently rub it into the skin until it has all been absorbed. One fingertip of this cream equates to one unit; children will not need as much.
3. Unless you are applying the treatment to your hands, you should wash your hands again after applying the cream.

A study found that when treating atopic eczema, applying corticosteroids more than once daily did not present any beneficial reaction. Instead, applying it more often only resulted in an increase in adverse effects.

Applying Betamethasone to your face

Only apply this treatment to your face if your doctor tells you to. The skin on your face thins easily, so you must not use it for longer than 5 days.

When applied to thin epidermis areas such as eyelids, corticosteroids tend to be absorbed better than areas that consist of thicker epidermis such as the soles of the feet.

How much should I apply?

The amounts listed are the recommended daily dose guidelines for an adult.

Betamethasone Valerate Side Effects

Common side effects may affect up to 1 in 10 people who use this medicine and can include a burning, painful, itching or irritation on the area(s) where you applied the cream.

Stop using this medicine and seek medical advice immediately if you experience any of the following reactions:

• Your skin condition gets worse
• You get a generalised rash or your skin becomes swollen during the treatment
• You have psoriasis and get raised bumps with pus under the skin.

Very rarely, you may experience the following side effects:

• Weight gain or rounding of the face
• An increased risk of getting an infection
• Stretch marks
• High blood pressure
• Blood vessels under the surface of the skin may become more noticeable
• Delayed weight gain or slowing of growth in children
• Dryness or thinning of the skin, which may damage or wrinkle more easily
• Rash, itchy bumpy skin or redness
• Increased blood sugar levels or sugar in your urine
• Bones becoming thinner, weak or easy to break
• Risk of glaucoma or cataracts
• Hair loss, an increase or reduction of hair growth
• Changes in skin colour
• Decreased levels of hormone cortisol in your blood

These lists may not be exhaustive. Please, read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before using this medication for a comprehensive list of side effects.

Betamethasone Valerate warnings and drug interactions

Betamethasone cream may interact with other medications, which could increase your risk of side effects or hinder one or both of the medicine's effectiveness.

Before you start using a new medicine, it is very important that you inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are already taking any other form of medication. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medication, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements as some medicines can interact with the ingredient beatametasone.

In particular, make sure your doctor or pharmacist is aware if you are currently taking or have recently taken ritonavir or itraconazole medications.

This medication should not be used as a treatment for any of the following conditions:

• Acne
• Rosacea
• Perioral dermatitis
• Skin infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi, such as cold sores, herpes, chickenpox, impetigo, ringworm, athlete’s foot or thrush

Speak to your doctor for more information if you have any of the above conditions as there are specific treatments available to relieve these problems.

Keep away from fire when using this product, particularly when applying it under dressings.

Betamethasone contains chlorocresol and cetostearyl alcohol, which can cause reactions.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Before using this medication, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant.

You should also inform them if you are currently breastfeeding.

We recommend BUMPS for additonal information.

Betamethasone Ingredients

The active ingredient contained in this medicine is betamethasone valerate.

Please refer to the Summary of Characteristics for a list of inactive ingredients.