Betnovate Ointment

/ GSK

Cutaneous: Creams are especially appropriate for moist or weeping surfaces. Apply thinly and gently rub in using only enough to cover the entire affected area once or twice daily for up to 4 weeks until improvement occurs, then reduce the frequency of application or change the treatment to a less potent preparation. Allow adequate time for absorption after each application before applying an emollient. In the more resistant lesions, such as the thickened plaques of psoriasis on elbows and knees, the effect of betamethasone valerate can be enhanced, if necessary, by occluding the treatment area with polythene film. Overnight occlusion only is usually adequate to bring about a satisfactory response in such lesions; thereafter, improvement can usually be maintained by regular application without occlusion. If the condition worsens or does not improve within 2-4 weeks, treatment and diagnosis should be re-evaluated. Therapy with betamethasone valerate should be gradually discontinued once control is achieved and an emollient continued as maintenance therapy. Rebound of pre-existing dermatoses can occur with abrupt discontinuation of betamethasone valerate.
Recalcitrant dermatoses
Patients who frequently relapse: Once an acute episode has been treated effectively with a continuous course of topical corticosteroid, intermittent dosing (apply once a day twice a week without occlusion) may be considered. This has been shown to be helpful in reducing the frequency of relapse. Application should be continued to all previously affected sites or to known sites of potential relapse. This regimen should be combined with routine daily use of emollients. The condition and the benefits and risks of continued treatment must be re-evaluated on a regular basis.
Paediatric population: Betamethasone valerate is contraindicated in children under one year of age. Children are more likely to develop local and systemic side effects of topical corticosteroids and, in general, require shorter courses and less potent agents than adults; therefore, courses should be limited to five days and occlusion should not be used. Care should be taken when using betamethasone valerate to ensure the amount applied is the minimum that provides therapeutic benefit.
Elderly: Clinical studies have not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. The greater frequency of decreased hepatic or renal function in the elderly may delay elimination if systemic absorption occurs. Therefore the minimum quantity should be used for the shortest duration to achieve the desired clinical benefit.
Renal / Hepatic Impairment: In case of systemic absorption (when application is over a large surface area for a prolonged period) metabolism and elimination may be delayed therefore increasing the risk of systemic toxicity. Therefore the minimum quantity should be used for the shortest duration to achieve the desired clinical benefit.

Psoriasis, lichen simplex and planus, eczema, otitis externa, anal, vulval pruritis, seborrhea dermatitis and contact dermatitis.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients.
The following conditions should not be treated with betamethasone valerate:
– Untreated cutaneous infections (viral, fungal and bacterial)
– Rosacea
– Acne vulgaris
– Pruritus without inflammation
– Perianal and genital pruritus
– Perioral dermatitis
Betamethasone valerate is contraindicated in dermatoses in infants under one year of age, including dermatitis.

Betamethasone valerate should be used with caution in patients with a history of local hypersensitivity to other corticosteroids. Local hypersensitivity reactions may resemble symptoms of the condition under treatment. Manifestations of hypercortisolism (Cushing’s syndrome) and reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, leading to glucocorticosteroid insufficiency, can occur in some individuals as a result of increased systemic absorption of topical steroids. If either of the above are observed, withdraw the drug gradually by reducing the frequency of application, or by substituting a less potent corticosteroid. Abrupt withdrawal of treatment may result in glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. Betnovate contains chlorocresol which may cause allergic reactions and cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis). Risk factors for increased systemic effects are:
– Potency and formulation of topical steroid
– Duration of exposure
– Application to a large surface area
– Use on occluded areas of skin e.g. on intertriginous areas or under occlusive dressings (in infants the nappy may act as an occlusive dressing)
– Increasing hydration of the stratum corneum
– Use on thin skin areas such as the face
– Use on broken skin or other conditions where the skin barrier may be impaired
– In comparison with adults, children may absorb proportionally larger amounts of topical corticosteroids and thus be more susceptible to systemic adverse effects. This is because children have an immature skin barrier and a greater surface area to body weight ratio compared with adults.
Paediatric population: In infants and children under 12 years of age, treatment courses should be limited to five days and occlusion should not be used; long-term continuous topical corticosteroid therapy should be avoided where possible, as adrenal suppression can occur.
Infection risk: with occlusion Bacterial infection is encouraged by the warm, moist conditions within skin folds or caused by occlusive dressings. When using occlusive dressings, the skin should be cleansed before a fresh dressing is applied.
Use in Psoriasis: Topical corticosteroids should be used with caution in psoriasis as rebound relapses, development of tolerances, risk of generalised pustular psoriasis and development of local or systemic toxicity due to impaired barrier function of the skin have been reported in some cases. If used in psoriasis careful patient supervision is important.
Application to the face: Prolonged application to the face is undesirable as this area is more susceptible to atrophic changes; therefore, treatment courses should be limited to five days and occlusion should not be used.
Application to the eyelids: If applied to the eyelids, care is needed to ensure that the preparation does not enter the eye, as cataract and glaucoma might result from repeated exposure.
Concomitant infection: Appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be used whenever treating inflammatory lesions which have become infected. Any spread of infection requires withdrawal of topical corticosteroid therapy and administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Chronic leg ulcers: Topical corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat the dermatitis around chronic leg ulcers. However, this use may be associated with a higher occurrence of local hypersensitivity reactions and an increased risk of local infection.

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders:  Common: Pruritus, local skin burning /skin pain.
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions:  Very rare:  Application site irritation/pain.
For full details see prescribing information.

Co-administered drugs that can inhibit CYP3A4 (e.g. ritonavir, itraconazole) have been shown to inhibit the metabolism of corticosteroids leading to increased systemic exposure. The extent to which this interaction is clinically relevant depends on the dose and route of administration of the corticosteroids and the potency of the CYP3A4 inhibitor.

Fertility: There are no data in humans to evaluate the effect of topical corticosteroids on fertility.
Pregnancy: There are limited data from the use of betamethasone valerate in pregnant women. Topical administration of corticosteroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of foetal development. The relevance of this finding to humans has not been established; however, administration of betamethasone valerate during pregnancy should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the foetus. The minimum quantity should be used for the minimum duration.
Lactation: The safe use of topical corticosteroids during lactation has not been established. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable amounts in breast milk. Administration of betamethasone valerate during lactation should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the infant. If used during lactation betamethasone valerate should not be applied to the breasts to avoid accidental ingestion by the infant.

Symptoms and signs: Topically applied betamethasone valerate may be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects. Acute overdose is very unlikely to occur, however, in the case of chronic overdose or misuse the features of hypercortisolism may occur.
Treatment: In the event of overdose, betamethasone valerate should be withdrawn gradually by reducing the frequency of application, or by substituting a less potent corticosteroid because of the risk of glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. Further management should be as clinically indicated or as recommended by the national poisons centre, where available.