Betamethasone Valerate (betamethasone valerate)

Betamethasone dipropionate and valerate are applied topically. Betamethasone dipropionate preparations and betamethasone valerate preparations should not be used with occlusive dressings and patients should be warned that treated areas of the skin should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped as to be occlusive, unless directed by a clinician.

Concentrations of the dipropionate and valerate preparations usually are expressed in terms of betamethasone. Concentration of betamethasone valerate foam is expressed in terms of betamethasone valerate.

Topical preparations of betamethasone dipropionate usually are applied sparingly in thin films and are rubbed gently into the affected area once or twice daily. Because betamethasone dipropionate preparations formulated in an optimized (augmented) vehicle are among the most potent topical corticosteroid preparations currently available, the manufacturers state that dosage of betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointments, creams, gels, or lotions in optimized (augmented) vehicles should not exceed 45 g, 45 g, 50 g, or 50 mL per week, respectively. Some manufacturers also state that duration of therapy with these optimized preparations should not exceed 2 weeks.

Topical betamethasone 0.1% creams and ointments (as valerate) usually are applied sparingly in thin films and are rubbed gently into the affected area 1-3 times daily. However, once- or twice-daily administration of these preparations often is effective. Topical betamethasone valerate 0.1% solutions are applied sparingly (e.g., a few drops) and are rubbed gently into the affected area twice daily, in the morning and evening. Dosage of the topical solution may be increased in patients with resistant dermatoses. However, dosing frequency should be decreased to once daily following clinical improvement.

For relief of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses of the scalp, betamethasone valerate 0.12% foam should be applied twice daily, in the morning and evening. For application to the scalp, the can containing betamethasone valerate foam should be inverted and small amounts of the preparation placed on a saucer or other cool surface. The foam should not be dispensed directly to the hands since the foam will begin to melt immediately upon contact with warm skin. Small amounts of the preparation should be massaged gently into the scalp until the foam disappears and entire scalp area has been treated.

For the topical treatment of symptomatic inflammatory tinea pedis, tinea cruris, or tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, or Epidermophyton floccosum, the fixed-combination cream or lotion containing betamethasone 0.05% and clotrimazole 1% should be applied sparingly and rubbed gently into the affected area twice daily, in the morning and evening. If clinical improvement does not occur after 1 week in the treatment of tinea cruris or tinea corporis or after 2 weeks in the treatment of tinea pedis, the diagnosis should be reevaluated. The manufacturer states that dosage of the combination cream or lotion should not exceed 45 g or 45 mL per week, respectively, and duration of therapy with these combination preparations should not exceed 2 weeks in the treatment of tinea cruris or tinea corporis or 4 weeks in the treatment of tinea pedis. Occlusive dressings should not be used with these combination preparations.

For the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) in adults 18 years of age or older, the fixed-combination ointment containing betamethasone 0.05% and calcipotriene 0.005% should be applied and rubbed gently into the affected area until absorbed once daily. The combination ointment should not be applied to greater than 30% of body surface area. The manufacturer states that dosage of the combination ointment should not exceed 100 g per week, and duration of therapy should not exceed 4 consecutive weeks. Occlusive dressings should not be used with the combination preparation, unless directed by a clinician. The fixed-combination ointment should not be applied to the face, axillae, or groin area. The fixed-combination ointment should not be used in patients with erythrodermic, exfoliative, or pustular psoriasis or in patients with preexisting atrophy at the treatment site. Contact with the eyes should be avoided. If irritation occurs, therapy with the fixed-combination ointment should be discontinued and appropriate treatment instituted. Patients should wash their hands after applying the drug. The fixed-combination ointment is not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use.

For the topical treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) of the scalp in adults 18 years of age or older, the fixed-combination suspension containing betamethasone 0.05% and calcipotriene 0.005% should be applied to the affected area(s) on the scalp once daily for 2 weeks or until cleared. The manufacturer states that dosage of the combination suspension should not exceed 100 g per week, and duration of therapy should not exceed 8 weeks. Occlusive dressings should not be used with the combination preparation, unless directed by a clinician. The combination suspension should not be applied to the face, axillae, or groin area. In addition, the suspension should not be used in patients with erythrodermic, exfoliative, or pustular psoriasis or in patients with preexisting atrophy at the treatment site. Contact with the eyes should be avoided; eye irritation may occur. The bottle containing the suspension should be shaken prior to each use; patients should wash their hands after applying the drug. The fixed-combination suspension is not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use.

Because calcipotriene may increase the effect of ultraviolet radiation to induce skin tumors, patients who apply the fixed-combination ointment or suspension to exposed areas of the body should avoid exposure to natural or artificial (e.g., sunlamps, tanning booths) sunlight and limit or avoid phototherapy.

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There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

There are no moderate interactions for this drug.

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There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.

• Bacterial skin and skin structure infection

• Hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency

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Less Frequent

• Folliculitis
• Purpura
• Skin and skin structure infection
• Skin atrophy

Rare or Very Rare

• Adrenocortical insufficiency
• Bullous dermatitis
• Cataracts
• Central serous chorioretinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Growth failure
• Hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency
• Intracranial hypertension
• Ocular hypertension
• Skin hypopigmentation
• Skin striae
• Skin ulcer
• Urticaria

More Frequent

• Erythema
• Stinging of skin

Less Frequent

• Acute pain at drug application site
• Blurred vision
• Headache disorder
• Paresthesia
• Pruritus of skin
• Skin rash
• Telangiectasia
• Treatment site sequelae

Rare or Very Rare

• Acneiform eruption
• Alopecia
• Blistering skin
• Contact dermatitis
• Dry skin
• Dyschromia
• Glycosuria
• Hirsutism
• Hypercortisolism
• Hyperesthesia
• Hyperglycemia
• Miliaria
• Perioral dermatitis
• Skin irritation

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