Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Betnesol-N
- Steroid, Antibacterial
Description
Betamethasone and Neomycin Cream combines a strong steroid and an antibacterial formula to help target inflammation, irritation and itching caused by conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.
Indications
Betamethasone + Neomycin Drops is used to treat inflammation of the eye, ear or nose when there may also be a risk of bacterial infection.
Betamethasone with Neomycin is a potent steroid, with an antibacterial component, and is used in the treatment of eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
The cream is used in the treatment of secondary infections caused at sites of the mentioned inflammatory skin conditions.
It will never be prescribed for the treatment of primary skin infections.
Betamethasone/neomycin skin preparations are indicated for the treatment of the following conditions where secondary bacterial infection is present, suspected, or likely to occur: eczema in adults and children (aged 2 years and over), including atopic and discoid eczema; prurigo nodularis; psoriasis (excluding widespread plaque psoriasis); neurodermatoses including lichen simplex and lichen planus; seborrhoeic dermatitis; contact sensitivity reactions; insect bite reactions; and anal and genital intertrigo.
Contraindications
- Any other skin condition – rosacea, acne, perioral dermatitis, viral infections (chickenpox, shingles, cold sores). The cream can make these worse.
- Any known allergy to the active ingredients or any of the excipients.
- Due to the increased absorption in young children, the cream should not be used in those under the age of 2 years old.
- The cream should not be used to treat primary or secondary infections where the cause is known to be fungal or viral.
Adverse Effects
- local atrophic skin changes (e.g. thinning of the skin) – this usually occurs with prolonged exposure of the treatment.
- hypersensitivity reactions to any of the cream’s components.
- In rare cases, treatment of psoriasis has been known to provoke the pustular form of the condition.
- the cream may exacerbate the symptoms of the condition you are treating.
Warnings
Betamethasone and neomycin cream can cause the following conditions to worsen:
- Acne
- Perioral dermatitis (a rash around the mouth)
- Viral infections (e.g. cold sores, herpes, chickenpox)
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections (e.g. thrush, athlete’s foot)
- Rosacea (flushing of the skin around the nose)
- External ear infections
Consult your GP if you:
- Are using this medicine to treat psoriasis – this will require more frequent checkups
- Have kidney problems
- Are undergoing surgery in the near future
Pregnancy and Lactation
There is little information available to demonstrate the potential risk topically applied Betamethasone and Neomycin Cream can have on the unborn foetus. However, Neomycin which is present in the mother’s blood can cross the placenta and this can give rise to a theoretical risk of toxicity in the foetus.
Therefore, use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
How supplied
Betamethasone valerate / Neomycin sulphate
Cream
- 5mg
- 10mg
Ointment
- 5mg
- 10mg
Eye Ointment
- 5mg
Lotion
- 20ml
- 60ml
Eye and Ear Drops
- 10ml