Generic name: betamethasone topical
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about betamethasone topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Betaderm.
Applies to betamethasone topical: topical application cream, topical application lotion, topical application ointment, topical application spray. Other dosage forms:
- topical application cream, topical application foam, topical application lotion, topical application ointment
Serious side effects of Betaderm
Along with its needed effects, betamethasone topical (the active ingredient contained in Betaderm) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking betamethasone topical:
More common
- Burning or stinging
- itching at the application site
Less common
- Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- cracking or tightening of the skin
- dry skin
- flushing or redness of the skin
- irritation
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (eg, between the fingers)
- unusually warm skin
Rare
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
Incidence not known
- Blindness
- blurred vision
- change in vision
- decreased vision
- eye pain
- headache
- loss of vision
- nausea
- redness and scaling around the mouth
- tearing
- vomiting
Other side effects of Betaderm
Some side effects of betamethasone topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Raised, dark red, or wart-like spots on the skin, especially when used on the face
Rare
- Burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
Incidence not known
- Acne or pimples
- burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
- increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
- lightening of normal skin color
- lightening of treated areas of dark skin
- reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
- softening of the skin
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to betamethasone topical: topical cream, topical foam, topical gel, topical lotion, topical ointment, topical spray.
General
The most commonly reported side effects were pruritus, burning, itching, irritation.
Hypersensitivity
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity
Endocrine
Frequency not reported: Cushing's syndrome[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Folliculitis, skin infections (including bacterial, fungal and viral skin infections)
Frequency not reported: Dryness, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infections, skin atrophy, striae, miliaria[Ref]
Local
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Application site pain
Frequency not reported: Burning, itching, irritation[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (less than 0.1%): Eye disorder
Postmarketing reports: cataracts, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, central serous chorioretinopathy[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia
Renal
Frequency not reported: Glucosuria
Other
Rare (less than 0.1%): Rebound effect
More about Betaderm (betamethasone topical)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (3)
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: topical steroids
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
Other brands
Diprolene, Diprosone, Valisone, Betamethacot, ... +5 more
Professional resources
- Betamethasone (Topical) monograph
- Betamethasone Valerate Lotion (FDA)
Other brands
Diprolene, Diprolene AF, Sernivo
Related treatment guides
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Dermatitis
- Dermatological Disorders
- Lichen Planus
- Lichen Sclerosus
References
1. Stoppoloni G, Prisco F, Santinelli R, Sicuranza G, Giordano C. Potential hazards of topical steroid therapy. Am J Dis Child. 1983;137:1130-1.
2. Ruiz-Maldonado R, Zapata G, Lourdes T, Robles C. Cushing's syndrome after topical application of corticosteroids. Am J Dis Child. 1982;136:274-5.
3. Reymann F, Kehlet H. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical function. Association with topical application of betamethasone dipropionate. Arch Dermatol. 1979;115:362-3.
4. Cunliffe WJ, Burton JL, Holti G, Wright V. Hazards of steroid therapy in hepatic failure. Br J Dermatol. 1975;93:183-5.
5. Walsh P, Aeling JL, Huff L, Weston WL. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression by superpotent topical steroids. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993;29:501-3.
6. Stevens DJ. Cushing's syndrome due to the abuse of betamethasone nasal drops. J Laryngol Otol. 1988;102:219-21.
7. Flynn MD, Beasley P, Tooke JE. Adrenal suppression with intranasal betamethasone drops. J Laryngol Otol. 1992;106:827-8.
8. Salde L, Lassus A. Systemic side-effects of three topical steroids in diseased skin. Curr Med Res Opin. 1983;8:475-80.
9. Product Information. Diprolene (betamethasone topical). Schering Corporation. 2001;PROD.
10. Sneddon I. Perioral dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. 1972;87:430-4.
11. Smith EB, Breneman DL, Griffith RF, Hebert AA, Hickman JG, Maloney JM, Millikan LE, Sulica VI, Dromgoole SH, Sefton J, et al. Double-blind comparison of naftifine cream and clotrimazole/betamethasone dipropionate cream in the treatment of tinea pedis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1992;26:125-7.
12. Barkey WF. Striae and persistent tinea corporis related to prolonged use of betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% cream/clotrimazole 1% cream (Lotrisone cream). J Am Acad Dermatol. 1987;17:518-9.
13. Grice K. Tinea of the hand and forearm. Betamethasone valerate atrophy. Proc R Soc Med. 1966;59:254-5.
14. Hellgren L. Induction of generalized pustular psoriasis by topical use of betamethasone-dipropionate ointment in psoriasis. Ann Clin Res. 1976;8:317-9.
15. Macdonald A. Topical corticosteroid preparations. Hazards and side-effects. Br J Clin Pract. 1971;25:421-5.
16. Ellis CN, Katz HI, Rex IH Jr, Shavin JS, Van Scott EJ, VanderPloeg D. A controlled clinical trial of a new formulation of betamethasone dipropionate cream in once-daily treatment of psoriasis. Clin Ther. 1989;11:768-74.
17. Kitazawa Y. Increased intraocular pressure induced by corticosteroids. Am J Ophthalmol. 1976;82:492-5.
18. Butcher JM, Austin M, McGalliard J, Bourke RD. Bilateral cataracts and glaucoma induced by long term use of steroid eye drops. BMJ. 1994;309:43.
19. Eisenlohr JE. Glaucoma following the prolonged use of topical steroid medication to the eyelids. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1983;8:878-81.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circ*mstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.
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