BETNOVATE

Betamethasone valerate 0.122% w/w (equivalent to betamethasone 0.1% w/w) Lotion

New Zealand Consumer Medicine Information

Ask your doctor if you have any • infected skin (unless the
What is in this leaflet? questions about why this infection is being treated with
medicine has been prescribed an anti-infective medicine at
for you. the same time)
Please read this leaflet carefully
before you use BETNOVATE. Your doctor may have prescribed • acne
BETNOVATE for another reason. • rosacea (a facial skin condition
This leaflet answers some
common questions about BETNOVATE is not addictive. where the nose, cheeks, chin,
BETNOVATE. It does not forehead or entire face are
This medicine is available only
contain all of the available unusually red, with or without
with a doctor's prescription.
information. tiny visible blood vessels,
bumps (papules) or pus-filled
It does not take the place of Before you use bumps (pustules))
talking to your doctor or BETNOVATE • rashes around the mouth
pharmacist.
• itchy skin which is not
All medicines have risks and When you must not use it
benefits. Your doctor has inflamed
Do not use BETNOVATE if you • itching around the anus or
weighed the expected benefits of
have an allergy to: genitals (penis and vagina)
you using BETNOVATE against
the risks this medicine could have • any medicine containing
for you. betamethasone valerate or any
of the ingredients listed toward If you think any of these apply to
If you have any concerns about the end of this leaflet. you, do not use BETNOVATE
using this medicine, ask your until you have checked with your
doctor or pharmacist. • any other similar medicines doctor or pharmacist.
such as other corticosteroids
Keep this leaflet with the Some of the symptoms of an
medicine. allergic reaction may include: Do not let BETNOVATE lotion
get in your eyes.
You may need to read it again. • shortness of breath
Do not use BETNOVATE after
What is BETNOVATE used for? • wheezing or difficulty
the expiry date printed on the
breathing
BETNOVATE is used to treat pack or if the packaging is torn
various inflammatory skin • swelling of the face, lips, or shows signs of tampering.
conditions, including eczema, tongue or other parts of the
body If it has expired or is damaged,
psoriasis, dermatitis, insect bites return it to your pharmacist for
and prickly heat. • rash, itching or hives on the disposal.
BETNOVATE belongs to a group skin
If you are not sure whether you
of medicines known as Do not use BETNOVATE on should start using this medicine,
corticosteroids, frequently called children under 1 year of age. talk to your doctor.
‘steroids’. They are not ‘anabolic Do not use BETNOVATE if you
steroids’ which are the steroids already have an infection unless Before you start to use it
sometimes misused by athletes. your doctor tells you to.
Tell your doctor if you have
BETNOVATE works by reducing You may need to use additional allergies to any other medicines,
the inflammation in the affected medicine.
foods, preservatives or dyes.
area to reduce the redness, Do not use BETNOVATE to
swelling and itchiness of the skin. treat any of the following skin Tell your doctor if you are
problems it could make them pregnant or plan to become
worse: pregnant or are breast-feeding.

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Your doctor can discuss with you avoid smoking or being near an If you forget to use
the risks and benefits involved. open flame while you’re BETNOVATE
applying BETNOVATE, and
If you do use BETNOVATE If you forget to use
immediately after you’ve used
when breast-feeding, do not use BETNOVATE apply it as soon as
it.
on your breast area so that the you remember then continue as
baby does not accidently get How much to use before.
BETNOVATE in their mouth.
Use only enough BETNOVATE Do not apply extra BETNOVATE
If you have not told your doctor to cover the entire affected area to make up for missed doses.
about any of the above, tell once or twice a day.
If you are not sure what to do,
him/her before you start taking
The number of times you use ask your doctor of pharmacist.
BETNOVATE.
BETNOVATE may be reduced as
your skin gets better or your If you have trouble remembering
Taking other medicines
doctor may prescribe a weaker to use your medicine, ask your
Tell your doctor or pharmacist steroid for you to use instead. pharmacist for some hints.
if you are using or taking any
other medicines, including any How to use it Don’t stop using
that you get without a
BETNOVATE without
Apply a thin layer once or twice advice
prescription from your daily and gently rub in, using only
pharmacy, supermarket or enough to cover the entire If you use BETNOVATE
health food shop. affected area. regularly make sure you talk to
your doctor before you stop using
Some medicines and Wash your hands after use unless it.
BETNOVATE may interfere with treating the hands.
each other. These include: If you take too much
If you are also using an emollient
(overdose)
• ritonovir (a medicine for the (moisturising) preparation allow
treatment of HIV) time for BETNOVATE to be Immediately telephone your
absorbed after each application doctor or Poisons Information
• itraconazole (a medicine for Centre (telephone 0800 POISON
before applying the emollient.
the treatment of fungal or 0800 764 766) for advice, or go
infections) If your eczema flares up
to the Accident and Emergency
These medicines may be affected frequently, your doctor may
Department at your nearest
by BETNOVATE or may affect suggest that you use a less
hospital, if you think you or
how well it works. You may need frequent dose of BETNOVATE
anyone else may have taken too
different amounts of your once your eczema is under
much BETNOVATE, even if
medicines, or you may need to control, to help stop your eczema
there are no signs of discomfort or
take different medicines. from coming back. poisoning. You may need urgent
Your doctor and pharmacist have When to use it medical attention.
more information on medicines to Use BETNOVATE at about the If you are not sure what to do,
be careful with or avoid while same time each day. contact your doctor or
taking this medicine. pharmacist.
Using it at the same time each day
will have the best effect. It will
How to use also help your remember when to
While you are using
BETNOVATE? use it.
BETNOVATE

Follow all directions given to How long to use it for Things you must do
you by your doctor carefully. BETNOVATE should be used Tell your doctor if, for any
They may differ from the once or twice daily for no more reason, you have not taken your
information contained in this than four weeks at a time. medicine exactly as directed.
leaflet. Only use BETNOVATE for as
long as your doctor recommends. Otherwise, your doctor may think
If you do not understand the that it was not working as it
instructions in this leaflet, ask If the condition worsens or does
not improve within two to four should and change your treatment
your doctor or pharmacist for unnecessarily.
help. weeks, talk to your doctor or
pharmacist. If you are about to be started on
Due to the flammable nature of any new medicine, remind your
BETNOVATE, you should
2
doctor and pharmacist that you dressing etc) that has been in • if your skin condition gets
are using BETNOVATE. contact with this product burns worse or your skin becomes
more easily and is a serious fire swollen during treatment, you
Tell any other doctors, dentists hazard. Washing clothing and may be allergic to the
and pharmacists who treat you bedding may reduce product medicine, have an infection or
that you are using this medicine. build-up but not totally remove it. need other treatment.
If you become pregnant while Be careful driving or operating • wheezing, swelling of the
using this medicine, tell your machinery until you know how lips/mouth, difficulty in
doctor immediately. BETNOVATE affects you. breathing, hayfever, lumpy
rash (hives) or fainting. These
Things you must not do What are the side could be a symptom of an
Do not use BETNOVATE on effects? allergic reaction.
children under 1 year of age. The above list includes very
Tell your doctor or pharmacist serious side effects. You may
Do not give this medicine to need urgent medical attention or
as soon as possible if you do not
anyone else, even if they have hospitalisation.
feel well while you are using
the same condition as you.
BETNOVATE. Use of BETNOVATE for a long
Do not use BETNOVATE to period of time, or use under an
This medicine helps most people,
treat any other complaints airtight dressing, may cause the
but it may have unwanted side
unless your doctor tells you to. following symptoms:
effects in a few people. All
• increased weight
Do not let BETNOVATE get medicines can have side effects.
into your eyes. Sometimes they are serious, most • moon face / rounding of the
of the time they are not. You may face
Things to be careful of need medical attention if you get • obesity
some of the side effects.
If you experience blurred vision • skin thinning, this may cause
or other visual disturbances, Do not be alarmed by the stretch marks
speak to your doctor. following lists of side effects.
• skin wrinkling
You may not experience any of
Take care when applying them. • skin dryness
BETNOVATE to the eyelids to • the appearance of blood
make sure it does not get into Ask your doctor or pharmacist
vessels under the surface of
your eye. to answer any questions you
your skin
may have.
Take care when applying • increased body hair
BETNOVATE to the face over a Tell your doctor or pharmacist • hair loss / lack of hair growth /
long period of time as it may if you notice any of the damaged looking hair
cause skin thinning. following and they worry you:
• skin rash
If you have eczema around a leg Other very rare skin reactions
• hot or burning sensation that may occur are:
ulcer, use of a topical
corticosteroid may increase the • itching • allergic reaction at the site of
risk of an allergic reaction or an Tell your doctor as soon as application
infection around the ulcer. possible if you notice any of the • worsening of condition
following:
Only use an airtight dressing • application site irritation
• thinning of the skin and
over this medicine if your
appearance of stretch marks • redness
doctor has told you to.
• changes to the colour of your • rash or hives
If you are applying skin • If you have psoriasis you may
BETNOVATE under an airtight get raised bumps with pus
• increase in hair growth
dressing, make sure that the skin under the skin. This can
is cleansed before a fresh dressing • appearance of blood vessels happen very rarely during or
is applied to prevent infections. under the surface of your skin after treatment and is known as
If any of the following happen, pustular psoriasis.
Whilst using BETNOVATE do tell your doctor immediately or
not smoke or go near naked • skin infection.
go to Accident and Emergency
flames due to the risk of severe at your nearest hospital:
burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding,
3
Very rare side effects that may not leave it in a car or on a
show up in blood tests or when window sill.
Trade marks are owned by or
your doctor gives you a medical
Heat and dampness can destroy licensed to the GSK group of
examination:
some medicines. companies.
• decrease in the level of the
hormone cortisol in your blood Discard 3 months after opening.
• increased levels of sugar in Disposal This leaflet is subject to
your blood or urine copyright.
If your doctor tells you to stop
• high blood pressure taking this medicine or the
• cloudy lens in the eye expiry date has passed, ask your This leaflet was prepared in July
(cataract) pharmacist what to do with any 2020.
• increased pressure in the eye medicine that is left over.
© 2020 GSK group of companies
(glaucoma) or its licensor.
• weakening of the bones Product description
through gradual loss of mineral
(osteoporosis). Additional tests What BETNOVATE looks Version 7.0
may be needed after your like
medical examination to BETNOVATE lotion is supplied
confirm if you have this in 50 mL bottles. It is a white,
condition. translucent lotion.
Ingredients
Tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you notice anything that is BETNOVATE contains the active
making you feel unwell. ingredient Betamethasone
Valerate. Each 1 g contains 1.22
Other side effects not listed above mg of betamethasone valerate
may also occur in some people. (0.122% w/w).
The other ingredients are:
After using
BETNOVATE • methyl hydroxybenzoate
• xanthan gum
Storage • cetostearyl alcohol
• liquid paraffin (see section
Keep BETNOVATE in its bottle While you are using
until time to use it.
BETNOVATE - Things to be
Keep this medicine where careful of)
children cannot reach it. • isopropyl alcohol
A locked cupboard at least one- • glycerol
and-a-half meters above the • cetomacrogol 1000
ground is a good place to store • sodium citrate
medicines.
• citric acid monohydrate
Keep BETNOVATE in a cool,
• purified water
dry place where it stays below
25°C.
Supplier
Keep the bottle tightly closed
when not in use. Contents are Your BETNOVATE is supplied
flammable. in New Zealand by:

Keep BETNOVATE out of GlaxoSmithKline NZ Limited