BETNOVATE-C
Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% w/w and Clioquinol 3% w/w Cream
New Zealand Consumer Medicine Information
to reduce the redness and itchiness of Do not use BETNOVATE-C on
What is in this leaflet the skin. children under 1 year of age.
Please read this leaflet carefully BETNOVATE-C also contains Do not use BETNOVATE-C in
before you start using clioquinol, an anti- infective agent your eyes.
BETNOVATE-C. which helps to prevent or clear up
This leaflet answers some common some bacterial or fungal infections of Do not use BETNOVATE-C if you
questions about BETNOVATE-C. It the skin. already have an infection unless
does not contain all the available your doctor tells you to.
information. Ask your doctor if you have any
It does not take the place of talking to questions about why this medicine You may need to use additional
your doctor or pharmacist. has been prescribed for you. medicine.
All medicines have risks and Do not use BETNOVATE-C to
Your doctor may have prescribed
benefits. Your doctor has weighed BETNOVATE-C for another reason. treat any of the following skin
the risks of you using problems it could make them
BETNOVATE-C against the benefits BETNOVATE-C is not addictive. worse:
they expect it will have for you.
This medicine is available only with • viral infections such as cold
If you have any concerns about sores, herpes or chicken pox
a doctor's prescription.
using this medicine, ask your
• fungal infections such as
doctor or pharmacist.
ringworm, athlete’s foot, or
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. Before you use thrush
You may need to read it again. BETNOVATE-C • acne
• rosacea (a facial skin condition
When you must not use it where the nose, cheeks, chin,
Do not use BETNOVATE-C if you forehead or entire face are
What BETNOVATE-C unusually red, with or without
have an allergy to:
is used for tiny visible blood vessels, bumps
• any medicine containing
(papules) or pus-filled bumps
BETNOVATE-C is used to treat betamethasone valerate,
various inflammatory skin (pustules))
clioquinol, iodine, or any of the
conditions, including eczema, ingredients listed at the end of • rashes around the mouth
psoriasis and dermatitis. It is often this leaflet • itchy skin which is not inflamed
used where there is or may be an
infection, as well as inflammation. • any other similar medicines such • itching around the anus or
as other corticosteroids genitals (penis and vagina)
BETNOVATE-C contains Some of the symptoms of an allergic
betamethasone valerate which
reaction may include:
belongs to a group of medicines If you think any of these apply to
known as corticosteroids, frequently • shortness of breath you, do not use BETNOVATE-C
called ‘steroids’. They are not until you have checked with your
• wheezing or difficulty breathing
‘anabolic steroids’ which are the doctor or pharmacist
steroids sometimes misused by • swelling of the face, lips, tongue
athletes. or other parts of the body Do not use BETNOVATE-C after
the expiry date printed on the pack
• rash, itching or hives on the skin
BETNOVATE-C works by reducing or if the packaging is torn or shows
the inflammation in the affected area signs of tampering.
BETNOVATE-C 1
If it has expired or is damaged, return How to use If you forget to use it
it to your pharmacist for disposal.
BETNOVATE-C If you forget to use BETNOVATE-C
If you are not sure whether you apply it as soon as you remember
should start using this medicine, Follow all directions given to you then continue as before.
talk to your doctor. by your doctor carefully.
Do not apply extra BETNOVATE-C
They may differ from the to make up for missed doses.
Before you start to use it information contained in this leaflet.
Tell your doctor if you have If you do not understand the If you are not sure what to do, ask
allergies to any other medicines, instructions in this leaflet, ask your your doctor or pharmacist.
foods, preservatives or dyes. doctor or pharmacist for help. If you have trouble remembering
Tell your doctor if you are to use your medicine, ask your
pregnant, or think you could be, or How much to use pharmacist for some hints.
if you are planning to become
Use only enough to cover the entire
pregnant or are breast-feeding.
affected area once or twice a day.
Your doctor can discuss with you the
The number of times you use your If you take too much
risks and benefits involved. (overdose)
medicine may be reduced as your
If you do use BETNOVATE-C when skin gets better. Your doctor may Immediately telephone your doctor
breast-feeding, do not use on your also prescribe a weaker steroid for or Poisons Information Centre
breast area so that the baby does not you to use instead. (telephone 0800 POISON or 0800
accidently get BETNOVATE-C in 764 766) for advice, or go to the
their mouth. How to use it Accident and Emergency Department
at your nearest hospital, if you think
If you have not told your doctor Apply a thin layer once or twice you or anyone else may have taken
about any of the above, tell daily and gently rub in, using only too much BETNOVATE-C, even if
him/her before you start taking enough to cover the entire affected there are no signs of discomfort or
BETNOVATE-C. area. poisoning.
You may need urgent medical
Wash your hands after use unless you attention.
Taking other medicines
are treating the hands.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if
If you are also using an emollient If you are not sure what to do,
you are using or taking any other
(moisturising) preparation allow time contact your doctor or pharmacist.
medicines, including any that you
for BETNOVATE-C to be absorbed
get without a prescription from
after each application before
your pharmacy, supermarket or applying the emollient.
health food shop.
While you are using
Some medicines and BETNOVATE- When to use it BETNOVATE-C
C may interfere with each other.
Use BETNOVATE-C at about the
These include:
same time each day. Things you must do
• vigabatran (a medicine for the
Using it at the same time each day Tell your doctor if, for any reason,
treatment of epilepsy)
will have the best effect. It will also you have not used your medicine
• ritonovir (a medicine for the help you remember when to use it. exactly as directed.
treatment of HIV)
How long to use it Otherwise, your doctor may think
• itraconazole (a medicine for the that it was not working as it should
treatment of fungal infections) BETNOVATE-C should be used and change your treatment
These medicines may be affected by once or twice daily for no more than unnecessarily.
BETNOVATE-C or may affect how 4 weeks at a time. If you are about to be started on
well it works. You may need any new medicine, remind your
Only use BETNOVATE-C for as
different amounts of your medicines, doctor and pharmacist that you
long as your doctor recommends. If
or you may need to take different the condition worsens or does not are using BETNOVATE-C.
medicines. improve within two to four weeks, Tell any other doctors, dentists,
Your doctor and pharmacist have talk to your doctor or pharmacist. and pharmacists who treat you
more information on medicines to be that you are using this medicine.
careful with or avoid while taking
this medicine.
BETNOVATE-C 2
If you become pregnant while • skin dryness
using this medicine, tell your • hair loss / lack of hair growth /
doctor immediately. BETNOVATE-C may stain hair, skin
or fabric. Cover application with damaged looking hair
dressing to protect clothing.
Things you must not do
Do not use BETNOVATE-C on Be careful driving or operating
children under 1 year of age. machinery until you know how
BETNOVATE-C affects you.
Do not use BETNOVATE-C to
treat any other complaints unless If any of the following happen, tell
your doctor tells you to. your doctor immediately or go to
Do not give this medicine to anyone Side effects Accident and Emergency at your
else, even if they have the same nearest hospital:
condition as you. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as • if your skin condition gets worse
soon as possible if you do not feel or your skin becomes swollen
Do not dilute BETNOVATE-C. well while you are using during treatment, you may be
BETNOVATE-C. allergic to the medicine, have an
Do not let BETNOVATE-C
This medicine helps most people, but infection or need other treatment.
get into your eyes.Things to
it may have unwanted side effects in • wheezing, swelling of the
be careful of
a few people. All medicines can have lips/mouth, difficulty in
If you experience blurred vision or side effects. Sometimes they are breathing, hayfever, lumpy rash
other visual disturbances, speak to serious, most of the time they are not. (hives) or fainting. These could
your doctor. You may need medical attention if be a symptom of an allergic
Take care when applying you get some of the side effects. reaction.
BETNOVATE-C to the eyelids to Do not be alarmed by the following Other very rare skin reactions that
make sure it does not get into your lists of side effects. You may not may occur are:
eye. experience any of them.
• allergic reaction at the site of
Take care when applying Ask your doctor or pharmacist to application
BETNOVATE-C to the face over a answer any questions you may
long period of time as it may cause have. • worsening of condition
skin thinning.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if • application site irritation
If you have eczema around a leg you notice any of the following and • redness
ulcer, using a topical corticosteroid they worry you: • rash or hives
may increase the risk of an allergic • skin rash
reaction or an infection around the • If you have psoriasis you may get
ulcer. • hot or burning sensation raised bumps with pus under the
• itching skin. This can happen very rarely
Only use an airtight dressing over during or after treatment and is
this medicine if your doctor has told Tell your doctor as soon as possible known as pustular psoriasis.
you to. if you notice any of the following:
If you are applying BETNOVATE- • skin infection.
• skin thinning and appearance of
C under an airtight dressing,
stretch marks
including an infant’s nappy, make The following very rare side effects
sure that the skin is cleansed • changes to the colour of your skin may also occur in children
before a fresh dressing is applied,
• increase in hair growth
to prevent infections.
• appearance of blood vessels • delayed weight gain
Whilst using BETNOVATE-C do under the surface of your skin
not smoke or go near naked flames • slow growth
Use of BETNOVATE-C for a long
due to the risk of severe burns. Very rare side effects that may
period of time, or use under an
Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressing show up in blood tests or when
airtight dressing, may cause the
etc) that has been in contact with your doctor gives you a medical
following symptoms:
this product burns more easily and examination:
is a serious fire hazard. Washing • increased weight
clothing and bedding may reduce • moon face / rounding of the face • decrease in the level of the
product build-up but not totally hormone cortisol in your blood
remove it. • obesity
• skin wrinkling
BETNOVATE-C 3
• increased levels of sugar in your pharmacist what to do with any This leaflet was prepared 24 August
blood or urine medicine that is left over. 2020
• high blood pressure Version 4.0
• cloudy lens in the eye (cataract)
• increased pressure in the eye Product description
(glaucoma)
• weakening of the bones through What it looks like
gradual loss of mineral
BETNOVATE-C cream is supplied
(osteoporosis). Additional tests
in aluminium tubes with a plastic
may be needed after your medical cap.
examination to confirm if you
have this condition. BETNOVATE-C cream is a smooth,
straw-coloured cream.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if
you notice anything that is making
Ingredients
you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above BETNOVATE-C contains the active
may also occur in some people. ingredients betamethasone valerate
and clioquinol.
BETNOVATE-C cream also
contains:
After using
• Chlorocresol
BETNOVATE-C
• Cetomacrogol 1000
Storage • Cetosteryl Alcohol
Keep BETNOVATE-C in its tube • White Soft Paraffin (see Section
until time to use it. Things to be careful of)
• Liquid Paraffin (see Section
Keep this medicine where children
cannot reach it. Things to be careful of)
• Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate
A locked cupboard at least one-and- Dihydrate
a-half metres above the ground is a
good place to store medicines. • Phosphoric Acid
• Sodium Hydroxide
Keep BETNOVATE-C Cream in a
cool, dry place where it stays below • Purified Water
30°C.
Keep BETNOVATE-C out of
direct sunlight.
Manufacturer/Distributor/
Supplier
Do not store BETNOVATE-C or BETNOVATE-C is supplied in New
any other medicine in the Zealand by:
bathroom or near a sink. Do not
leave it on a window sill or in the GlaxoSmithKline NZ Limited
car. Private Bag 106600
Downtown Auckland
Heat and dampness can destroy some NEW ZEALAND
medicines.
Disposal Trade marks are owned by or
licensed to the GSK group of
If your doctor tells you to stop companies.
taking this medicine or the expiry
date has passed, ask your
BETNOVATE-C 4
