🧴 Betamethasone Valerate Cream 0.1%
🔹 1. Prescription / Indication:
Betamethasone Valerate Cream 0.1% is a medium-to-high potency topical corticosteroid used to treat:
- Severe eczema
- Psoriasis (except face, genitals)
- Lichen planus
- Lichen simplex chronicus
- Contact dermatitis (severe forms)
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Neurodermatitis
- Insect bite allergies
🔹 2. Description:
- Form: Topical corticosteroid cream
- Strength: 0.1% w/w betamethasone valerate (higher than standard 0.05%)
- Appearance: Smooth, white or off-white cream
- Application: Usually applied once or twice daily, in a thin layer
🔹 3. Advantages:
- Provides stronger anti-inflammatory action than the 0.05% variant
- Offers fast relief from swelling, itching, and redness
- Useful for thickened or chronic lesions (e.g., on limbs, trunk)
- May help avoid systemic steroids in localized conditions
🔹 4. Nature / Pharmacological Class:
- Class: Topical corticosteroid
- Potency: Moderate to potent, depending on region and vehicle (cream, ointment, etc.)
- Mechanism of Action:
- Suppresses local inflammation, immune response, and itching
- Works via glucocorticoid receptor modulation and cytokine suppression
🔹 5. Common Packaging:
- Aluminum tubes or laminated tubes
- Common sizes: 15 g, 30 g, 50 g
- Typically in a box with leaflet for external use
🔹 6. Storage:
- Store at below 25°C (77°F)
- Protect from light and heat
- Do not freeze
- Keep out of reach of children
🔹 7. Patient Advice / Counseling:
- Apply a thin film, avoid excessive use
- Not for use on face, groin, or underarms unless prescribed
- Avoid long-term use to prevent:
- Skin thinning (atrophy)
- Stretch marks (striae)
- Telangiectasia
- Steroid-induced acne
- Do not use under occlusion (bandage or plastic wrap) unless advised
- Not for children under 12 years without medical supervision
- Discontinue gradually if used over weeks to prevent flare
🔹 8. Purpose / Clinical Use:
Used in short- to medium-term treatment of moderate-to-severe inflammatory dermatoses, especially when lower-potency steroids fail.