Betamethasone Dip Aug 0.05% Oin 15g

Betamethasone dipropionate, an augmented topical corticosteroid, exerts its anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive actions through induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, lipocortins. These proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor, arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of a weak adrenal gland, including:
+ Severe upset stomach or vomiting
+ Severe dizziness or fainting
+ Muscle weakness
+ Feeling extremely tired
+ Mood changes
+ Decreased appetite
+ Weight loss
Signs of Cushing's syndrome, such as:
+ Weight gain in the upper back or belly
+ Moon face
+ Severe headache
+ Slow healing
Signs of high blood sugar, including:
+ Confusion
+ Feeling sleepy
+ Unusual thirst or hunger
+ Passing urine more often
+ Flushing
+ Fast breathing
+ Breath that smells like fruit
Skin changes, such as:
+ Pimples
+ Stretch marks
+ Slow healing
+ Hair growth
Skin irritation
Thinning of the skin
Changes in eyesight

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people experience no side effects or only mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor or seek medical help:

Burning or stinging
Dry skin
* Itching

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have thinning of the skin in the area where you will be applying this medication.

This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications (including prescription, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health conditions with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions.

Remember, do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication. Adhere to the prescribed duration of use, as directed by your doctor, and avoid using it for an extended period.

When applying this medication to a large skin area, exercise caution and consult with your doctor. Additionally, do not use this medication to treat diaper rash or redness, and avoid applying it to the diaper area.

Be aware that this medication may increase the risk of developing cataracts or glaucoma; therefore, discuss this potential risk with your doctor. In some cases, this medication may affect growth in children and teenagers, making regular growth checks necessary. Consult with your doctor to discuss this potential effect.

When using this medication in children, exercise caution, as the risk of certain side effects may be higher in this population. Note that different brands of this medication may be suitable for different age groups of children, so consult with your doctor before administering it to a child.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, inform your doctor, as they will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medication with you. If you are breastfeeding, avoid applying this medication directly to the nipple or the surrounding area.

• Burning
• Itching
• Irritation
• Dryness
• Folliculitis
• Hypertrichosis
• Acneiform eruptions
• Hypopigmentation
• Perioral dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Maceration of the skin
• Secondary infection
• Skin atrophy
• Striae
• Miliaria
• Signs of Cushing's syndrome (e.g., moon face, central obesity, striae)
• Signs of adrenal insufficiency (e.g., fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, hypotension)

Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Category C. Avoid large areas, prolonged use, or occlusive dressings.

Use with caution. It is not known whether topical corticosteroids are excreted in human milk. Systemic absorption is minimal, but caution is advised. Avoid applying to the breast area to prevent infant ingestion.

Children are more susceptible to systemic adverse effects (e.g., HPA axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, growth retardation) due to a larger skin surface area to body weight ratio. Use the smallest effective amount for the shortest duration. Avoid occlusive dressings. Not recommended for infants and young children unless specifically directed by a specialist.

No specific dose adjustments are generally needed. However, elderly patients may have thinner skin, which could increase the risk of local adverse effects (e.g., atrophy, purpura) and potentially systemic absorption. Monitor closely for skin integrity and adverse effects.

• Betamethasone Dipropionate Augmented 0.05% Ointment is a high-potency topical corticosteroid; use it sparingly and for short durations (typically no more than 2 weeks for adults).
• The 'augmented' formulation means it's designed for enhanced penetration and potency, increasing the risk of both local and systemic side effects compared to non-augmented formulations.
• Avoid using this ointment on the face, groin, or axillae unless specifically instructed by a dermatologist, as these areas are more prone to corticosteroid-induced side effects like atrophy and striae.
• Do not use occlusive dressings (e.g., plastic wrap) over the treated area unless directed by a healthcare professional, as this significantly increases systemic absorption and the risk of HPA axis suppression.
• Educate patients on the signs of skin atrophy (thinning, shiny skin, visible blood vessels) and HPA axis suppression (fatigue, weight gain, moon face) and to report them immediately.

• Other topical corticosteroids (e.g., clobetasol, fluocinonide, triamcinolone, hydrocortisone, desonide - varying potencies)
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) for eczema
• Vitamin D analogs (e.g., calcipotriene) for psoriasis
• Topical retinoids (e.g., tazarotene) for psoriasis
• Systemic therapies (e.g., biologics, methotrexate, cyclosporine) for severe dermatoses

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide detailed information about the overdose, including the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.