Indications of Betameson Cream

Inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of resistant or severe corticosteroid-responsive dermatitis, such as atopic eczema, contact dermatitis, etc.

Pharmacology of Betameson Cream

Betamethasone dipropionate is a topical corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive properties. Betamethasone dipropionate induces a peptide called lipocortin. Lipocortin antagonizes phospholipase A2, an enzyme that causes the degradation of leukocyte lysosomal membranes to release arachidonic acid. This effect reduces the subsequent formation and release of endogenous inflammatory mediators (including prostaglandins, kinins, and histamine).

Pharmacokinetics: Betamethasone dipropionate can be absorbed from intact normal skin. Corticosteroids bind to plasma proteins to varying degrees. Corticosteroids are mainly metabolized in the liver and excreted by the kidneys.

Dosage & Administration of Betameson Cream

Apply a thin film once or twice daily to cover completely the affected area. Patients with chronic psoriasis who have achieved at least a marked improvement in their psoriatic lesion (i.e., approximately 80% improvement) with Betamethasone Dipropionate may be maintained in remission with a pulse dosing regimen consisting of three consecutive applications of up to 3.5 g each of Betamethasone Dipropionate cream and ointment, twelve hours apart (e.g., morning, evening, following morning) to the previously affected areas once each week. For this purpose, Betamethasone Dipropionate cream and ointment should be applied to the lesion sites previously affected and treated. Patients on this pulse dose regimen who relapse should be reverted back to the conventional dosing regimen.

Interaction of Betameson Cream

There is no evidence of any kind of interaction.

Contraindications

Allergic to betamethasone dipropionate, other corticosteroids, or any component of this preparation. Like other topical corticosteroids, betamethasone dipropionate is contraindicated for viral skin infections such as vaccinia, chickenpox, and herpes simplex, as well as tuberculosis, rosacea, fungal skin infections (candidiasis), perioral dermatitis and ulcers sick.

Side Effects of Betameson Cream

The most common side effects of betamethasone dipropionate are transient mild to moderate burning/tingling, dry skin, itching, irritation, and folliculitis. Few reported side effects to include tingling, skin irritation/stretching or cracking of the skin, heat, lamellar scales, and scales around the lesion, hair follicle eruption, skin atrophy, erythema, hives, blisters, telangiectasia, similar papules to acne and hypersensitivity. Adverse effects reported for betamethasone dipropionate ointment pulse dosing regimen were mild intermittent hypertension and paresthesias. Other local adverse reactions reported with topical corticosteroids include pruritus, hirsutism, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, skin maceration, secondary infection, dermatoglyphics, rash, and worsening of untreated infection.

Precautions & Warnings

If the use of betamethasone dipropionate causes irritation or allergies, treatment should be discontinued and appropriate treatment initiated.   It is known that corticosteroids can be absorbed through the skin, so the possibility of systemic effects should be taken into account in patients undergoing massive and long-term local treatments.  Betamethasone dipropionate is not suitable for occlusive dressings because it will also increase the systemic absorption of corticosteroids.  Long-term use of topical corticosteroid preparations can cause stretch marks or atrophy of the skin or subcutaneous tissues.

Therapeutic Class

Corticosteroid

Storage Conditions

Keep the temperature below 30°C, and protect from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Pharmaceutical Name of Betameson Cream

Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Generic of Betameson Cream

Betamethasone Dipropionate