Medobeta

Betamethasone valerate.

Both cream and ointment: Contain 0.1% Betamethasone as the valerate ester.

Betamethasone valerate is an active topic corticosteroid which produces a rapid response in those inflammatory dermatoses that are normally responsive to topical corticosteroid therapy, and it is often effective in the less responsive conditions such as psoriasis.

Betamethasone preparations are indicated for the treatment of eczema, including atopic, infantile, discoid and stasis eczemas prurigo, psoriasis, neuro-dermatoses, including lichen simplex, lichen planus, seborrhoeic dermatitis, intertrigo, contact sensitivity reactions, discoid lupus erythematosus, generalised erythroderma.
Betamethasone can also be used in the management of insect bites, sunburn, prickly heat, and otitis externa.

A small quantity of Medobeta should be applied to the affected area two or three times daily until improvement occurs.
Betamethasone cream is especially appropriate for moist or weeping surfaces and Betamethasone ointment for dry, lichenified or scaly lesions, but this is not invariably so.
In the more resistant lesions, such as the thickened plaques of psoriasis on elbows and knees, the effect of Betamethasone can be enhanced, if necessary, by occluding the treatment area with polythene film. Overnight occlusion only is usually adequate to bring about a satisfactory response in such lesions; thereafter, improvement can usually be maintained by regular application without occlusion.

Rosacea, acne and peri-oral dermatitis.
Skin lesions caused by infection with viruses (e.g. herpes simplex, chickenpox), fungi (e.g candidiasis, tinea) or bacteria (e.g. impetigo). Hypersensitivity to the preparation.

Visual disturbance: Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical corticosteroid use. If a patient presents with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances, the patient should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids.
Long-term continuous topical therapy should be avoided where possible particularly in infants and children, as adrenal suppression can occur even without occlusion. The face, more than other areas of the body may exhibit atrophic changes after prolonged treatment with potent topical corticosteroids. This must be borne in mind when treating such conditions as psoriasis, discoid lupus erythematosus and severe eczema. If applied to the eyelids, care is needed to ensure that the preparation does not enter the eye, as glaucoma might result.
Appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be used whenever treating inflammatory lesions which have become infected. Any spread of infection requires withdrawal of topical corticosteroid therapy and systemic administration of antimicrobial agents. Bacterial infection is encouraged by the warm, moist conditions induced by occlusive dressings, and so the skin should be cleansed before a fresh dressing is applied.
Topical administration of corticosteroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of fetal development. The relevance of this finding to human beings has not been established; however topical steroids should not be used extensively in pregnancy, i.e. in large amounts or for prolonged periods.

Eye: Vision, blurred.
Prolonged and intensive treatment with highly active corticosteroid preparations may cause local atrophic changes in the skin such as striae, thinning, and dilatation of the superficial blood vessels, particularly when occlusive dressings are used or when skin folds are involved.
As with other topical corticosteroids, prolonged use of large amounts or treatment of extensive areas can result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce the features of hypercorticism. This effect is more likely to occur in infants and children, and if occlusive dressings are used in infants, the napkin may act as an occlusive dressing. In rare instances, treatment of psoriasis with corticosteroids ( or its withdrawal) is thought to have provoked the pustular form of the disease.
The Betamethasone preparations are usually well tolerated, but if signs of hypersensitivity appear, application should be stopped immediately.

None known.

Incompatibilities: Betamethasone is incompatible with alkalis, heavy metals and metalbisulphites.

Store in a dry place at temperature not exceeding 25°C away from light.

Topical Corticosteroids

D07AC01 - betamethasone ; Belongs to the class of potent (group III) corticosteroids. Used in the treatment of dermatological diseases.

POM