Betamethasone with Clioquinol Cream

What is Betamethasone and Clioquinol Cream and what is it used for?

Betamethasone and clioquinol cream combines two types of medicine and is the unbranded version of the discontinued brand Betnovate C cream/ointment. The first active ingredient is betamethasone valerate (0.1%), which is a strong, or potent corticosteroid. Corticosteroids reduce irritation and inflammation of the skin. The second active ingredient is clioquinol (3%), which has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Betamethasone valerate and clioquinol cream is used to treat skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, insect bites and other types of rash. The cream will actively reduce swelling, as well as protect the skin from infection.

Betamethasone and Clioquinol Cream is available on prescription for adults over the age of 18 years. Each tube contains 30 grams of cream and should be used up to 2-3 times a day, applied directly to the affected areas of skin.

How do Betamethasone and Clioquinol Cream work?

Corticosteroids, such as betamethasone valerate, have anti-inflammatory properties. The skin can become inflamed as a response to an irritant or allergen. This causes cells in the body to release chemicals that make the surrounding blood vessels dilate (widen). These inflammatory chemicals cause the skin to swell, itch and become painful. Corticosteroids reduce these effects by inhibiting the release of the inflammatory-causing chemicals.

Medicines such as clioquinol fight infection by preventing bacteria or fungi from growing and multiplying. Certain inflammatory skin disorders have a high risk of becoming infected, so this component is very important in the treatment of the skin. This is especially the case because the airtight dressings used to cover the affected areas create conditions very conducive to fungal and bacterial growth.

Alternatives to Betamethasone and Clioquinol Cream

Betamethasone and Clioquinol Cream is available on prescription from The Independent Pharmacy. It is recommended that before using prescription-strength treatments for eczema and dermatitis that you try using over the counter options first.

Non-Prescription Alternatives for eczema can include;

• Moisturisers and emollients - Cetraben, Dermol 500 and Doublebase
• Bath and shower gels - Dermol 200 Shower Emollient
• Cotton gloves (to keep from scratching)
• Antihistamine tablets and liquid (to ease the itching) - Cetirizine, Loratadine and Chlorphenamine
• Mild steroid creams - Hc45 Cream ans Eurax HC Cream

For full details on available skin treatments please see our Advice for Eczema and Dermatitis page.

Sources

• Betamethasone and Cliquinol Cream, Patient Information Leaflet: 
• https://mhraproducts4853.blob....
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/b...

Warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

This medicine is unsuitable for you if you are allergic to one, or to any of the cream’s ingredients.

Do not use this medicine for inflamed skin around the genitals or anus unless specifically advised to do so.

Take extra care if using this medicine under an airtight dressing or nappy. In these conditions, too much of the medicine may be absorbed, leading to side effects.

Betamethasone and clioquinol cream can cause the following conditions to worsen:

• Acne
• Perioral dermatitis (a rash around the mouth)
• Viral infections (e.g. cold sores, herpes, chicken pox)
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections (e.g. thrush, athlete’s foot)
• Rosacea (a flushing of the skin around the nose)

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet contained within the product packaging before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

How to use Betamethasone and Cliquinol Cream

For adults over the age of 18 years: Wash your hands before and after use (unless the are you are treating is located on your hands). Apply this product thinly and carefully to the affected area(s) 2-3 times a day.

Talk to your GP if you do not notice improvement within a few days.

You may be using other topical medicines alongside betamethasone and clioquinol cream. If this is the case, you are advised to wait at least 30 minutes between applications. This will prevent any medicine from becoming diluted.

Ingredients

The active ingredients contained in betamethasone and clioquinol cream are: Betamethasone 0.1% (as valerate), clioquinol 3%

Betamethasone and clioquinol cream also contains the following inactive ingredients: Cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, sodium acid phosphate, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, purified water.

Side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they use betamethasone and clioquinol cream, however, if you do they can include:

• An itching or burning sensation on the affected area
• bumps under areas of skin affected by psoriasis.

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.