Betamethasone 0.1% cream or ointment can be ordered from our UK registered online prescribing service. Simply complete an online medical questionnaire as part of your order. This helps our prescribers make sure it is safe and suitable to prescribe for you. 

If approved by our medical team, our pharmacy team will receive a prescription. This will be dispensed and dispatched to your delivery address. Only people currently prescribed this by their GP can request this medicine.

Bethamethasone is a steroid medication that is used to treat a number of skin conditions including eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. It is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid. These help to reduce inflammation in skin conditions.

Ointment and cream versions of Bethamethasone are available. The active ingredient is Betamethasone Valerate. It is considered to be a corticosteroid that is moderately potent.

Betamethasone reduces the swelling and irritation associated with skin conditions such as:

• Atopic eczema
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Irritant contact dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Thick skin rash due to excessive scratching to relieve itching
• An eruption of hard nodules on the skin with intense itching
• Discoid lupus erythematosus
• Erythroderma characterized by intense and widespread reddening of the skin
• Severe reactions to insect stings and bites

Bethamethasone should be used in alongside your usual moisturiser in order to effectively manage you skin condition. 

Please note that topical corticosteroids are not a panacea for eczema and psoriasis, in that it will only help to manage flare-ups and exacerbations. 

Betamethasone (0.1%), a topical corticosteroid, is the active ingredient in Betnovate Cream & Ointment. Betamethasone is applied directly to the skin to provide relief. Allergic reaction or over-sensitivity of the skin is the usual cause of skin inflammation. Betnovate works by acting inside the skin cells to reduce the release of chemicals that cause inflammation. This results in the reduction of the swelling, itching, and redness, which help prevent scratching that can further irritate the skin.

Betamethasone cream is suitable for moist and weeping areas of the skin. The thicker and greasy ointment is suited for scaly, dry areas of the skin. Betnovate lotion is suitable for hairy areas of the skin because it easily spreads.

Follow strictly the instructions of the doctor who prescribed Betamethasone Cream & Ointment for your medical condition. Also, read and follow the patient information leaflet that comes with your order of the medication.

Betamethasone cream & ointment, should be applied evenly and thinly to the affected areas of the skin once or twice a day when you start your treatment course. Betnovate should be used less frequently as soon as the condition begins to improve, or as directed by your doctor.

Do not apply Betamethasone Cream & Ointment to infected or broken areas of the skin, unless you are also treating the infection. Don’t apply Betnovate to the facial skin unless your doctor instructs you.  Do not apply Betnovate around the eyes or eyelids.

Avoid getting Betamethasone cream, or ointment in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If accidental application occurs, immediately rinse with cold water.

Thoroughly wash your hands before you start after you applied the medication, unless your hands are being treated.

Do not use airtight dressings to cover the area being treated, unless your doctor instructed you to do so. Airtight dressings or bandages will increase the body to absorb more of the medicine, increasing the possibility of side effects. If you are going to use Betnovate Cream & Ointment under dressings as instructed by your doctor, cleanse the skin before the application of Betnovate before applying the medicine under a fresh dressing. Nappies and waterproof pants can act as airtight dressing and increase the body’s absorption of the medicine.

Betnovate lotion is flammable. Do not apply it near naked flames or lit objects. Do not smoke while applying the lotion.

You should continue applying Betnovate Cream & Ointment for as long as what your doctor recommended. Betnovate should not be used for more than once or twice a week at a time when using on a child.

Discontinue the use of the medicine if your skin condition does not improve after two weeks of treatment. Consult your doctor immediately.

Do not use Betnovate Cream & Ointment longer than what is recommended by your doctor.

If the area of the skin being treated with Betnovate Cream & Ointment becomes infection, stop the treatment and see your doctor.

Important things about Betnovate Cream & Ointment

Betnovate cream, lotion, or ointment is not for everybody. Betnovate should not be applied to children under one year of age.

Do not apply Betamethasone Cream & Ointment to broken skin or open wounds, or skin areas affected by the following conditions:

• Viral infections of the skin, such as herpes simplex, cold sores, and chickenpox
• Fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot and ringworm
• Acne
• Bacterial infection
• Acne rosacea
• Perioral dermatitis or inflammatory rash around the mouth
• Widespread plaque psoriasis
• Nappy rash
• Itchy skin with no inflammation

Do not use Betamethasone if you are allergic to its ingredients. Do not use Betamethasone cream, or ointment as a moisturizer.