Patient Information Leaflet
Betnovate-C Cream
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What you should know about Betnovate-C Cream
Betnovate-C Cream is a strong and rapidly effective treatment for inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis in which infection may be a problem.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT.
Following this advice gives the cream a chance to work safely and effectively.
Betnovate-C 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-C Cream also contains clioquinol which may help to prevent or clear up some bacterial or fungal infections of the skin.
Ingredients of the cream include:
The main active ingredient - betamethasone (as valerate) 0.1%
an antibacterial/antifungal agent - clioquinol 3%
a preservative - chlorocresol in a base containing cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, and liquid paraffin.
The cream does not contain any lanolin, parabens or colouring agents.
This cream has bean prescribed to treat the skin problem that you showed to your doctor.
DO NOT put it on any other skin problems as it could make them worse,
especially:
acne
some skin infections such as cold sores, herpes, impetigo, athletes foot, chicken pox,
ringworm, thrush
conditions called rosacea and perioral dermatitis.
DO NOT use it around the anus (back passage) or genitals (private parts) unless your doctor has told you to do so.
If you have had an allergy to any creams or ointments in the past
If you think you may be pregnant
Did you tell your doctor at the last visit or an earlier visit?
IF YOU DID NOT TELL YOUR DOCTOR THEN YOU SHOULD DO SO BEFORE STARTING THE TREATMENT
Even so, your doctor may still want you to use the cream.
Face –
YOU SHOULD NOT normally use on the face where the skin thins easily - BUT if your doctor has advised you to use it on the face then, if possible. the course of treatment should not last more than five days. It is important that you DO NOT let the cream get in your eyes.
Children –
DO NOT use on a child under one year of age, or under the napkin, or airtight dressing of an infant older than one year. (These make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin).
If your doctor has told you in detail HOW MUCH to use and HOW OFTEN then keep to this advice.
If you are not sure then follow the advice on the back of this leaflet.
Unless told by your doctor:
- YOU SHOULD NOT use more than this
- YOU SHOULD NOT use on large areas of the body for a long time (such as nearly every day for many weeks or months).
Overuse like this may:
- thin the skin so that it damages easily
- allow the active ingredient to pass through the skin and affect other parts of the body, especially in infants and children.
If your skin problem does not improve in seven days tell your doctor.
NOTE- The cream may stain hair, skin or fabric. You can protect clothes by covering the treated area with a cotton bandage or piece of clean cloth.
Stains can usually be removed, from clothes that can be washed, by using a hot wash (60°C) with a biological washing powder. continued
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.
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
Fingertip Units
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Do not worry if you find you need a little more or a little less than this - it is only a rough guide.
Wash your hands before using the cream. Gently rub the correct amount into the skin until it has all disappeared. Unless used for treating the hands wash them again after using the cream. Anyone who helps to rub in the cream should also do the same or wear disposable plastic gloves.
The bacteria that cause infections like the warm, moist conditions under bandages or dressings so always clean the skin before a fresh dressing is put on.
For a child:
It should not be used in children under one year of age.
The smaller the child the less you use.
A child of 4 years needs about a third of the adult amount.
A course of treatment for a child should not normally last more than five days unless your doctor has told you to use it for longer.
Betnovate-C Ointment
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Betnovate-C Ointment 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).
Ingredients of the ointment include:
The active ingredient - betamethasone (as valerate) 0.1%
an antibacterial/antifungal agent - clioquinol 3%
in a base containing white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin.
The ointment does not contain any lanolin, parabens or colouring agents.