Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official and paediatric dosages, pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance, and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official and paediatric dosages, pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance, and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Do not use Betamethasone cream:
• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to betamethasone valerate or any of the other ingredients of Betamethasone cream (listed in section 6) • on infants under one year of age • on areas of skin which have the following conditions:
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Betamethasone Valerate 0.1%w/w Cream
betamethasone valerate
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again • If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist • This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours • If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
Betamethasone Valerate 0.1%w/w Cream (hereinafter referred to as Betamethasone cream) contains a topical steroid. 'Topical' means that it is put on the skin. Topical steroids are used on certain types of inflamed skin, to reduce the redness and itchiness. Betamethasone cream is used to treat inflamed skin conditions, such as eczema, in patients unresponsive to less potent creams or ointments. These steroids should not be confused with "anabolic" steroids misused by some body builders and athletes and taken as tablets or injections. Corticosteroid creams, ointments and other topical preparations come in four different potencies or strengths. These are known as mild, moderately potent, potent or very potent. Healthcare professionals will usually refer to topical corticosteroid potency rather than strength. A potent or strong corticosteroid has a much stronger effect than a mild corticosteroid when using the same amount. The percentage of active ingredient that is sometimes included on product packaging does not indicate potency. Betamethasone valerate is classed as a strong corticosteroid. Your healthcare professional will prescribe or advise a steroid of the appropriate potency for your condition.
• acne • rosacea (redness and spots or blisters in the centre of the face around the nose) • peri-oral dermatitis (spotty red rash around the mouth) • skin infections caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, such as cold sores, herpes, chickenpox, impetigo, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush
Do not use if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Betamethasone cream.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Betamethasone cream:
Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
If there is a worsening of your condition during use consult your prescriber – you may be experiencing an allergic reaction, have an infection or your condition requires a different treatment. If you experience a recurrence of your condition shortly after stopping treatment, within 2 weeks, do not restart using the cream without consulting your prescriber unless your prescriber has previously advised you to so. If your condition has resolved and on recurrence the redness extends beyond the initial treatment area and you experience a burning sensation, please seek medical advice before restarting treatment.
Do not smoke or go near naked flames - risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Other medicines and Betamethasone cream
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicine, especially if you are taking ritonavir and itraconazole medications.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding and fertility
• on areas of itchiness where the skin is not inflamed • on areas of skin other than those that you showed to your doctor • around the anus (back passage) or on the genitals (private parts) unless your doctor has told you to do so.
• if you have had an allergic reaction, such as redness or itching, after applying any creams or ointments. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have experienced allergies to creams or ointments in the past • if you are using it around a leg ulcer you have had for a long time. You may be at increased risk of an allergic reaction or infection around the ulcer • you should not normally use this cream on your face or on a child, where the skin thins easily unless your doctor has told you to do so. If possible, any course of treatment involving the face or a child should not last more than 5 days • do not get the cream in your eyes. If you accidentally get some cream in your eyes wash it out and contact your doctor immediately • if your doctor has prescribed the cream for psoriasis, you should let your doctor review your progress at regular intervals, as such treatment needs careful supervision • if you are applying the cream under an airtight dressing, including a child's nappy. These dressings make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin. It is possible to accidentally end up using too much • if you are applying to a large surface area • if you are applying the cream on broken skin or within the skin folds • if you are applying near eyes or on eyelids, as cataracts or glaucoma may result if the cream repeatedly enters the eye • if you have an infection of the skin as this will need to be treated • if you are applying to thin skin such as the face or on children as their skin is thinner than adults and as a result may absorb larger amounts • dressing or bandages should not be used on children or on the face where the cream is applied.
Driving and using machines
There are no known effects of this medicine on your ability to drive or use machinery.
Betamethasone cream contains propylene glycol, cetostearyl alcohol and chlorocresol
This cream contains propylene glycol, which can cause allergic reactions in some people, cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis) and chlorocresol which may cause allergic reactions. If you have been told by your doctor that you are allergic to these ingredients contact your doctor before using this medicine.
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The usual dose is:
Adults and children (over 1 year of age)
Wash your hands each time before you use the cream. Apply the cream in a thin layer to the area to be treated, and rub in gently.
You can measure how much cream to use with your fingertip. For children you will need to use less cream but still use an adult finger to measure out the fingertip unit.
This picture shows one fingertip unit.
Wash your hands again when you have finished, unless you are treating the hands.
For an adult
Do not worry if you find you need a little more or less than this. It is only a rough guide.
For a child aged 1 – 10
If you are pregnant or are breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Most patients use the cream once or twice daily when they start treatment, but can use it less often as the condition improves.
This cream is for use on your skin only.
Do not use more than the amount prescribed for you.
If anyone else helps to apply the cream, they should wear disposable plastic gloves or wash their hands thoroughly before and after using the cream.
You should not use the cream on large areas of the body for many weeks or months. This is particularly important when the cream is used to treat children. When used to treat children, the cream should not be used for a period longer than five days.
You should not normally use the cream on the face where the skin thins easily.
The germs that cause infections like warm, moist conditions under bandages or dressings so always clean the skin before a fresh dressing is put on.
If using on children do not cover the area treated with a nappy or dressing which does not let the skin breathe (occlusive dressing) unless your doctor has told you to do so.
Covering the cream with an airtight dressing can make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin. It is especially important in children not to exceed the prescribed amount.
A course of treatment for a child should not normally last more than 5 days - unless your doctor has told you to use it for longer.
Do not use Betamethasone cream on infants under one year of age
If the skin problem does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks, tell your doctor.
If you have psoriasis
If you apply Betamethasone cream to your face
If you use more Betamethasone cream than you should
If you have thick patches of psoriasis on your elbows or knees, your doctor may suggest applying the cream under an airtight dressing. It will only be at night to help the cream to start working. After a short period of time you will then apply the cream as normal.
You should only apply the cream to your face if your doctor tells you to. It should not be used for more than 5 days, as the skin on your face thins easily. Do not let the cream get into your eyes.
If you forget to use Betamethasone cream
If you forget to apply the cream at the usual time, apply it when you remember, unless it is close to the time for the next application. Do not apply a double amount to make up for a forgotten application.
If you stop using Betamethasone cream
It is important that you do not stop using your cream unless advised to do so by your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you notice any of the following reactions stop using the cream and speak to your doctor immediately:
Other side effects you may notice when using Betamethasone cream include:
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
• a feeling of burning, pain, irritation or itching where the cream is applied.
Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
• an increased risk of infection • an allergic skin reaction where the cream is applied • rash, itchy bumpy skin or redness of the skin • thinning and dryness of your skin and it may also damage or wrinkle more easily • stretch marks may develop • blood vessels under the surface of your skin may become more noticeable • an increase or reduction in hair growth or hair loss and changes in skin colour • weight gain, rounding of the face • delayed weight gain or slowing of growth in children • bones can become thin, weak and break easily • cloudy lens in the eye (cataract) or increased pressure in eye (glaucoma) • a decrease in the level of the hormone cortisol in your blood • increased blood sugar levels or sugar in the urine • high blood pressure
Not Known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
Reporting of side effects
If you use more than you should, by mistake, on a few occasions, do not worry. If you apply a lot or a lot is accidentally swallowed, it could make you ill. Talk to your doctor or go to the hospital as soon as possible.
• if you find that your skin condition gets worse, you develop a generalised rash or your skin becomes swollen during treatment. You may be allergic to Betamethasone cream, have an infection or need other treatment • if you have psoriasis and get raised bumps with pus under the skin. This can happen very rarely during or after treatment and is known as pustular psoriasis.
• blurred vision • Steroid withdrawal reaction: If used continuously for prolonged periods a withdrawal reaction may occur on stopping treatment with some or all of the following features: redness of the skin which can extend beyond the initial area treated, a burning or stinging sensation, intense itching, peeling of the skin, oozing open sores.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25˚C, and protect from light in the original tube with the top screwed on.
Do not use the cream after the expiry date, which is printed on the tube and carton.
What Betamethasone cream contains
This medicine contains the active ingredient betamethasone (as valerate) 0.1%w/w. It also contains a preservative, chlorocresol, as well as liquid paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, cetomacrogol 1000, propylene glycol, sodium phosphate, citric acid and purified water.
What Betamethasone cream looks like and contents of the pack
The cream is available in tubes of 15g, 30g and 100g. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Tillomed Laboratories Limited 220 Butterfield Great Marlings Luton LU2 8DL United Kingdom Manufacturer
Beltapharm S.r.l., Via Stelvio 66, 20095 Cusano, Milan, Italy.
Other formats
To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call 0800 970 6115
This leaflet was revised in January 2026
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Betamethasone Valerate 0.1 %w/w Cream comes as cream containing 0.1 %. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Betamethasone Valerate 0.1 %w/w Cream is betamethasone valerate.
Medicines with the same active substance include: Betacap Scalp Application, Betnovate Cream, Betnovate Lotion, Betnovate Ointment, Betnovate RD Cream, Betnovate RD Ointment. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Betamethasone Valerate 0.1 %w/w Cream, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Betamethasone valerate is a potent topical corticosteroid indicated for adults, elderly and children over 1 year for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of steroid responsive dermatoses. These include the following:
-Atopic dermatitis (including infantile atopic dermatitis)
-Nummular dermatitis (discoid eczema)
-Prurigo nodularis
-Psoriasis (excluding widespread plaque psoriasis)
-Lichen simplex chronicus (neurodermatitis) and lichen planus
-Seborrhoeic dermatitis
-Irritant or allergic contact dermatitis
-Discoid lupus erythematosus
-Adjunct to systemic steroid therapy in generalised erythroderma
-Insect bite reactions
Route of administration: Cutaneous
Creams are especially appropriate for moist or weeping surfaces.
Apply thinly and gently rub in using only enough to cover the entire affected area once or twice daily for up to 4 weeks until improvement occurs, then reduce the frequency of application or change the treatment to a less potent preparation.
Allow adequate time for absorption after each application before applying an emollient.
In the more resistant lesions, such as the thickened plaques of psoriasis on elbows and knees, the effect of betamethasone valerate 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.
If the condition worsens or does not improve within 2-4 weeks, treatment and diagnosis should be re-evaluated.
Therapy with betamethasone valerate should be gradually discontinued once control is achieved and an emollient continued as maintenance therapy.
Rebound of pre-existing dermatoses can occur with abrupt discontinuation of betamethasone valerate.
Recalcitrant dermatoses
Patients who frequently relapse
Once an acute episode has been treated effectively with a continuous course of topical corticosteroid, intermittent dosing (apply once a day twice a week without occlusion) may be considered. This has been shown to be helpful in reducing the frequency of relapse.
Application should be continued to all previously affected sites or to known sites of potential relapse. This regimen should be combined with routine daily use of emollients. The condition and the benefits and risks of continued treatment must be re-evaluated on a regular basis.
Paediatric population
Betamethasone valerate is contraindicated in children under one year of age.
Children are more likely to develop local and systemic side effects of topical corticosteroids and, in general, require shorter courses and less potent agents than adults; therefore, courses should be limited to five days and occlusion should not be used.
Care should be taken when using betamethasone valerate to ensure the amount applied is the minimum that provides therapeutic benefit.
Elderly
Clinical studies have not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. The greater frequency of decreased hepatic or renal function in the elderly may delay elimination if systemic absorption occurs. Therefore the minimum quantity should be used for the shortest duration to achieve the desired clinical benefit.
Renal / Hepatic Impairment
In case of systemic absorption (when application is over a large surface area for a prolonged period) metabolism and elimination may be delayed therefore increasing the risk of systemic toxicity. Therefore the minimum quantity should be used for the shortest duration to achieve the desired clinical benefit.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
The following conditions should not be treated with betamethasone valerate:
-Untreated cutaneous infections
-Rosacea
-Acne vulgaris
-Pruritus without inflammation
-Perianal and genital pruritus
-Perioral dermatitis
Betamethasone valerate is contraindicated in dermatoses in infants under one year of age, including dermatitis.
Co-administered drugs that can inhibit CYP3A4 (eg ritonavir, itraconazole) have been shown to inhibit the metabolism of corticosteroids leading to increased systemic exposure. The extent to which this interaction is clinically relevant depends on the dose and route of administration of the corticosteroids and the potency of the CYP3A4 inhibitor.
Fertility
There are no data in humans to evaluate the effect of topical corticosteroids on fertility.
Pregnancy
There are limited data from the use of betamethasone valerate in pregnant women.
Topical administration of corticosteroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of foetal development (see section 5.3).
The relevance of this finding to humans has not been established; however, administration of betamethasone valerate during pregnancy should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the risk of the foetus. The minimum quantity should be used for the minimum duration.
Lactation
The safe use of topical corticosteroids during lactation has not been established.
It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable amounts in breast milk. Administration of betamethasone valerate during lactation should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the infant.
If used during lactation betamethasone valerate should not be applied to the breasts to avoid accidental ingestion by the infant.
There have been no studies to investigate the effect of betamethasone valerate on driving performance or the ability to operate machinery. A detrimental effect on such activities would not be anticipated from the adverse reaction profile of topical betamethasone valerate.
Symptoms and signs
Topically applied betamethasone valerate may be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects. Acute overdosage is very unlikely to occur, however, in the case of chronic overdosage or misuse the features of hypercortisolism may occur (see section 4.8).
Treatment
In the event of overdose, betamethasone valerate should be withdrawn gradually by reducing the frequency of application, or by substituting a less potent corticosteroid because of the risk of glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. Further management should be as clinically indicated or as recommended by the national poisons centre, where available.
Ask anything about Betamethasone Valerate 0.1 %w/w Cream. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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