Betnovate C (Betamethasone valerate) - 15g Cream

How does Betamethasone Valerate work?

It is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Inflammation of the skin happens due to the irritation of the skin, and is caused by the release of various substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful.

When betamethasone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the skin cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itch. Betamethasone is a potent corticosteroid that is applied to the skin to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin diseases, such as eczema.

Clioquinol is an antibacterial agent that is effective against both mild bacterial and mild fungal infections.

The combination of betamethasone and clioquinol is used to treat inflammatory skin disorders, such as those listed below, which are either infected or likely to become infected.

What is it used for?

• An eruption of hard nodules in the skin accompanied by intense itching (prurigo nodularis)
• Eczema
• Infected insect bites
• Inflammation of the skin around the genitals or anus, caused by skin surfaces rubbing together (genital or perianal intertrigo)
• Inflammation or irritation of the skin caused by a reaction to irritants (contact dermatitis)
• Inflammatory skin condition with greasy, red and scaly areas (seborrhoeic dermatitis)
• Inflammatory skin disease known as discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
• Psoriasis
• Thickened skin rash caused by excessive scratching to relieve itching (neurodermatitis)

Side Effects

• Thinning of the skin
• Changes in skin pigmentation
• Stretch marks (striae)
• Excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis)
• Slight widening of the veins in the skin, especially the face