Glaxosmithkline

What is in your cream

Betnovate-N Cream is one of a group of medicines called topical steroids. "Topical" means they are put on the skin. Topical steroids reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems. (They should not be confused with "anabolic" steroids misused by some body builders and taken as tablets or injections).

Betnovate-N Cream also contains neomycin which may help to prevent or clear up some bacterial infections of the skin.

Ingredients of the cream include:

• The main active ingredient - betamethasone (as valerate) 0.1%
• an antibacterial agent - neomycin sulphate 3%
• a preservative - chlorocresol
• in a base containing cetomacrogol 1000, white soft paraffin, and liquid paraffin.

The cream does not contain any lanolin, parabens or colouring agents.

Betnovate-N Cream Side Effects ?

• Most people find using this cream causes no problems when used in the right amount for the correct length of time (See above as well as guidance on back of this leaflet).
• IF you find your condition gets worse during treatment you may be allergic to the cream or have a skin infection which needs other treatment.
• Stop using the cream and tell your doctor as soon as possible
• Repeated courses of topical steroids over a long period of time may sometimes cause changes in hair growth and skin colour.

How Much Cream To Use

If your doctor has told you in detail how to use the cream then keep to that advice otherwise:-

Two or three times a day, after washing your hands, gently rub the correct amount of cream into the skin until it has all disappeared.

For an adult:

You should find that

• two fingertips of cream will treat both hands or one foot
• three fingertips of cream will treat one arm
• six fingertips of cream will treat one leg
• fourteen fingertips of cream will treat the front and back of one trunk

What is Betnovate (Betamethasone Valerate 20g Cream)?

Betnovate (Betamethasone Valerate 20g Cream) is a trade name of the active ingredient Betamethasone. It is an active synthetic corticosteroid (analog of the hormone of adrenal cortex) of the local action, giving a fast effect in cases of the inflammatory dermatosis (skin diseases). This drug provides an anti-inflammatory local, anti-allergic, antiedematous and antiproliferative action. It has the stronger vasoconstrictive action than other glucocorticosteroids. It provides the stronger the narrowing of the blood vessels and reduces the blood circulation, and this stimulates less the development of the allergic reactions.

Betnovate cream is a rather safe drug by means of the local use. It is rather poor absorbed through the skin, so that it does not cause systemic effects.

Affecting the skin there is a prevention of the acentric accumulation of neutrophils, and it leads to the reduction of exudation, production of cytokines, inhibition of mugration of macrophages, leading to the reduction of the allergic and inflammatory processes.

How does Betnovate work?

Betnovate products contain the active ingredient betamethasone, which is a type of medicine called a topical corticosteroid. Betamethasone cream and ointment are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

Corticosteroids (also known as steroids) are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Skin inflammation may occur as a result of an allergic reaction, or irritation of the skin. It is caused by the immune system releasing substances that make blood vessels in the skin widen. This makes the irritated area become red, swollen, itchy and painful, as is seen in dermatitis or eczema.

When betamethasone is applied to the skin it acts inside cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itching.

There is a range of potencies of corticosteroids available for application to the skin. Betnovate cream, ointment and lotion contain betamethasone valerate 0.1% and are classed as potent corticosteroids. They are prescribed to treat various inflammatory skin disorders that have not responded to milder steroids.

Betnovate cream is more suitable for moist, weeping areas of skin, while the thicker, more greasy ointment is more suitable for dry, scaly areas of skin. Betnovate lotion spreads easily and is more suitable for hairy areas of skin, or when minimal application to a large area of skin is needed.

Betnovate Common Use

• Betnovate Cream is applied externally to the affected parts of the skin and carefully rubbed.
• The cream should be used 2-3 times a day depending on the form of the disease, level of the severity, and reaction of the body to the treatment
• Do not apply much cream because it is not almost absorbed, and so the patient spends the part of the cream
• After the application it is better to use the maintaining dosage and apply the drug once per day, before going to bed.
• If necessary the occlusive dressings are used which are replaced every 24 hours (the dampening chamber causing loosening of the horny layer and faster penetration of the drug is created because of the evaporation of sweat and skin breathing)
• In order to avoid the relapses of the disease it is necessary to use the cream for several days after the complete disappearance of the symptoms. This way it is possible to achieve the results.

Side effects of Betnovate

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Skin irritation, eg redness, rash, itching or burning on application, or allergic inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis). Stop using this medicine and consult your doctor if you think you have experienced a reaction or your skin condition appears to be getting worse.
• Spread or worsening of untreated infections.
• Thinning of the skin.
• Reduced skin pigmentation.
• Stretch marks (striae).
• Groupings of fine blood vessels becoming prominent under the skin (telangiectasia).
• Excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis).
• Prolonged use of this medicine on extensive areas of skin, broken or raw skin, skin folds or underneath airtight dressings may on very rare occasions result in enough corticosteroid being absorbed to have side effects on other parts of the body, for example a decrease in the production of natural hormones by the adrenal glands, or symptoms of Cushing's syndrome - see warning section above.

Betnovate (Betamethasone Valerate 20g Cream) side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you think you have experienced a side effect from a medicine or vaccine you should check the patient information leaflet. This lists the known side effects and what to do if you get them. You can also get advice from your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If they think it's necessary they'll report it for you.

Betnovate GM Cream Uses and Benefits

Betnovate GM Cream is used in the treatment, control, prevention, & improvement of the following diseases, conditions and symptoms:

• Allergic disorders
• Skin conditions
• Ulcerative colitis
• Arthritis
• Lupus
• Psoriasis
• Bronchial asthma
• Skin problems
• Eczema
• Atopic dermatitis
• Scalp psoriasis
• Hands psoriasis
• Feet psoriasis
• Bacterial infections
• Pus filled swelling
• Inflammation of the inner layer of the heart
• Blood poisoning
• Diseases from uncooked meat
• Infection in newborn babies
• Gynecological infections
• Meninges inflammation
• Pneumonia
• Fungal and bacterial infections
• Vulvovaginal candidiasis
• Vaginal yeast infections
• Napkin rash
• Paronychia

Betnovate GM Cream Side-effects

The following is a list of possible side effects that may occur from all constituting ingredients of Betnovate GM Cream. This is not a comprehensive list. These side effects are possible, but do not always occur. Some of the side effects may be rare but serious. Consult your doctor if you observe any of the following side effects, especially if they do not go away.

• Menstrual irregularity
• For cream formulation pruritus
• Swelling due to fluid retention
• Psychotic reactions
• Bone fractures
• Allergy
• Irritable
• Cushing's syndrome
• Tendon rupture
• Allergic reactions
• Euphoric
• Slow growth in children
• Salt and water retention
• Muscle pain
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Osteoporosis
• High blood pressure
• Increased appetite
• Impaired carbohydrate tolerance with increased requirement for antidiabetic therapy
• Local skin burning
• Skin pain very rare opportunistic infections
• Depressed
• Suicidal thoughts
• Behavioral disturbances
• Bone degradation
• Swelling
• Weight gain of the body
• Face
• Abnormal amount of hair growth over body
• For soluble tablet hormonal imbalances
• Weight gain
• Generalized rash
• Swelling of tissue under the skin
• Inflammation of mouth or lips
• Fainting
• Coughing
• Nausea
• Fall in blood pressure
• Kidney problems
• Blood disorders
• Abnormal liver function
• Breathlessness
• Mental depression
• Abnormal blood counts
• Vomiting
• Noisy respiration
• Abdominal cramps
• Confusion
• Muscle weakness or paralysis of muscles
• Damage to ear
• Abnormal brain function
• Diarrhea
• Reddish-purple discolouration of skin
• Sleepiness
• Fits
• Seeing or hearing things that are not really there
• Anemia
• Sneezing
• Life-threatening allergic reaction
• Balance disorder
• Itchy skin rash
• Vaginal burning sensation
• Skin inflammation
• Change in taste
• Pain during periods
• Application site itchiness
• Headache
• Redness of skin
• Vulvovagina discomfort
• Skin discoloration
• Application site irritation
• Itching of skin
• Rash
• Genital itching in females
• Pain in the abdomen
• Application site burning
• Pelvic cramps