BETA Betamethasone Valerate Cream 0.1% W/W Betamethasone Valerate Ointment 0.1% W/W

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BETA Betamethasone Valerate Cream 0.1% W/W Betamethasone Valerate Ointment 0.1% W/W NEW ZEALAND CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION BETA Betamethasone valerate cream 0.1% w/w Betamethasone valerate ointment 0.1% w/w discoid lupus Some of the symptoms of an What is in this leaflet erythematosus (recurring allergic reaction may include: scaly rash) shortness of breath; wheezing or This leaflet answers some common prickly heat skin reaction difficulty breathing; swelling of the questions about BETA Cream and insect bite reactions face, lips, tongue or other parts of Ointment. prurigo nodularis (an itching the body; rash, itching or hives on and thickening of the skin the skin. It does not contain all the available with lumps or nodules) information. It does not take the contact sensitivity reactions Do not use BETA Cream or place of talking to your doctor or an additional treatment for Ointment to treat any of the pharmacist. an intense widespread following skin problems as it reddening and inflammation could make them worse: All medicines have risks and of the skin, infected skin (unless the benefits. Your doctor has weighed when milder topical corticosteroids infection is being treated the risks of you using BETA Cream cannot treat the skin condition with an anti-infective or Ointment against the benefits effectively. medicine at the same time) they expect it will have for you. acne BETA Cream is usually used to rosacea (a facial skin If you have any concerns about treat skin conditions on moist condition where the nose, taking this medicine, ask your surfaces; BETA Ointment is usually cheeks, chin, forehead or doctor or pharmacist. used to treat skin conditions on dry, entire face are unusually scaly skin. red, with or without tiny Keep this leaflet with the visible blood vessels, medicine. You may need to read it Ask your doctor if you have any bumps (papules) or pus- again. questions about why this filled bumps (pustules)) medicine has been prescribed for rashes around the mouth you. itchy skin which is not What BETA Cream Your doctor may have prescribed it inflamed or Ointment is used for another reason. itching around the anus or genitals (penis or vagina). for This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription. If your doctor advises the use of Your BETA Cream or Ointment BETA Cream or Ointment to treat contains the active ingredient There is no evidence that BETA one of the above skin betamethasone valerate. It belongs Cream or Ointment is addictive. complications, it is important you to a group of medicines known as follow your doctor’s instructions topical corticosteroids. “Topical” carefully. means that they are applied onto Before you use the skin. Topical corticosteroids are Do not use BETA Cream or used to help reduce the BETA Cream or Ointment on a child under the inflammation that causes the Ointment age of 1 year. redness and itchiness in a variety of Safety and effectiveness in children conditions (they are not ‘anabolic’ younger than 1 year old have not steroids which are sometimes When you must not use been established. misused by athletes). it: Do not use this medicine after the BETA Cream or Ointment is useful Do not use BETA Cream or expiry date printed on the pack or in treating various inflamed Ointment if you have an allergy if the packaging is torn or shows conditions of the skin such as: to: signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, psoriasis any medicine containing betamethasone valerate return it to your pharmacist for severe forms of eczema disposal. lichen planus (chronic itchy any of the ingredients listed skin of unknown origin) at the end of this leaflet. Page 1 of 4 If you are not sure whether you They may differ from the information your doctor has prescribed. If the should start using this medicine, contained in this leaflet. condition worsens or does not talk to your doctor. improve within two to four weeks, If you do not understand the talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Before you start to use instructions on the box ask your it: doctor or pharmacist for help. If you forget to use it Tell your doctor if you have How much to use If you forget to use BETA Cream or allergies to any other medicines, Ointment apply it as soon as you foods, preservatives or dyes. Use only enough BETA Cream or remember then continue as before. Ointment to cover the entire Tell your doctor if you are affected area once or twice a day. Do not apply extra BETA Cream or pregnant or plan to become Ointment to make up for a missed pregnant or are breast-feeding. It is important that you only apply dose. Your doctor can discuss with you BETA Cream or Ointment exactly the risks and benefits involved. as directed by your doctor. Do not If you are not sure what to do, use more than the recommended ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you do use BETA Cream or amount. Ointment when breast-feeding, do If you have trouble remembering to not use on your breast area so that Sometimes repeated short courses take your medicine, ask your the baby does not accidently get the of BETA CREAM or OINTMENT pharmacist for some hints. medicine in their mouth. may be used to control your skin condition. Your doctor may tell If you use too much If you have not told your doctor you to use a different amount. If (overdose) about any of the above, tell so, it is important you follow their him/her before you start using instructions carefully. Immediately telephone your BETA Cream or Ointment. doctor or the National Poisons How to use it Information Centre (0800 POISON Taking other medicines or 0800 764 766) for advice, or go Apply a thin layer once or twice to Accident and Emergency at Tell your doctor or pharmacist if daily and gently rub in, using only the nearest hospital, if you think you are taking any other enough to cover the entire affected that you or anyone else may have medicines, including any that you area. accidently swallowed BETA get without a prescription from Cream or Ointment; or if you or your pharmacy, supermarket or Wash your hands after use unless anyone else may have used too health food shop. treating the hands. much BETA Cream or Ointment. Some medicines and BETA Cream Do this even if there are no signs or Ointment may interfere with each If you are also using an emollient or of discomfort or poisoning. You other. These include: moisturising preparation, allow time may need urgent medical attention. for BETA Cream or Ointment to be ritonavir (a medicine used absorbed after each application for the treatment of HIV) before applying the emollient. While you are using itraconazole (a medicine for the treatment of fungal If your eczema flares up frequently, BETA Cream or infections). your doctor may suggest that you Ointment use a less frequent dose of BETA These medicines may be affected Cream or Ointment once your by BETA Cream or Ointment or may eczema is under control, to stop Things you must do affect how well it works. You may your eczema from coming back. need different amounts of your Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used your medicines, or you may need to take When to use it different medicines. medicine exactly as directed. Use BETA Cream or Ointment at Otherwise, your doctor may think Your doctor and pharmacist have about the same time each day. that it was not working as it should more information on medicines to Using it at the same time each day and change your treatment be careful with or avoid while using will have the best effect. It will also unnecessarily. this medicine. help you remember when to use it. If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your How to use BETA How long to use it doctor and pharmacist that you BETA Cream or Ointment should be are using BETA Cream or Cream or Ointment used once or twice daily for no more Ointment. than four weeks at a time. Follow all directions given to you Tell any other doctors, dentists, by your doctor or pharmacist Do not use BETA Cream or and pharmacists who treat you carefully. Ointment for any longer than that you are using this medicine. Page 2 of 4 If you are going to have any The above list includes very serious blood tests, tell your doctor that Side effects side effects. You may need urgent you are using BETA Cream or medical attention or hospitalisation. Ointment. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not Use of BETA Cream or Ointment If you become pregnant while feel well while you are using for a long period of time, or use using this medicine, tell your BETA Cream or Ointment. under an airtight dressing, may doctor immediately. This medicine helps most people, cause the following symptoms: but it may have unwanted side increased weight Things you must not do effects in a few people. All moon face / rounding of the medicines can have side effects. face Do not use BETA Cream or Sometimes they are serious, most obesity Ointment on children under 1 of the time they are not. You may skin thinning, this may year of age. need medical attention if you get cause stretch marks some of the side effects. Do not use BETA Cream or skin wrinkling Ointment to treat any other Do not be alarmed by the skin dryness complaints unless your doctor following lists of side effects.
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