Description
Betamethasone-Vertex Pharmacodynamics
Betamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticosteroid. It has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, anti-allergic, vasoconstrictor, antiexsudative and antiproliferative effects. Applied on the skin surface narrows vessels, relieves itching, reduces release of inflammatory mediators (from eosinophils and mast cells), interleukins 1 and 2, interferon gamma (from lymphocytes and macrophages), inhibits activity and reduces vascular wall permeability. It interacts with specific receptors in cell cytoplasm, stimulates synthesis of matrix ribonucleic acid, inducing formation of proteins, including lipocortin, mediating cellular effects. Lipokortin inhibits phospholipase A2, blocks the release of arachidonic acid and the biosynthesis of endoperoxides, prostaglandins, leukoproteins (contributing to inflammation, allergies and other pathological processes)
Indications
Skin diseases amenable to glucocorticosteroid therapy:
-atopic dermatitis/neurodermatitis;
-allergic contact dermatitis;
-Eczema (various forms);
-contact dermatitis (including occupational) and other non-allergic dermatitis (including sun and radiation dermatitis);
-reactions to insect bites;
-psoriasis;
-bullous dermatoses;
-discoid lupus erythematosus;
-red squamous lichen planus;
-exudative erythema multiforme;
-Skin pruritus of various etiologies.
Contraindications
-Hypersensitivity to betamethasone or any of the other drug components;
-Bacterial skin diseases (tuberculosis of the skin, cutaneous manifestations of syphilis);
-fungal skin diseases;
-viral skin diseases (chicken pox, herpes simplex);
Skin post-vaccination reactions;
-open wounds;
-trophic ulcers of the shin;
-Rosacea, vulgar acne;
-Skin cancer, nevus, atheroma, melanoma, hemangioma, xanthoma, sarcoma;
Breast-feeding period;
Children under one year of age.
With caution
Cataract, diabetes, glaucoma, tuberculosis (at long application or application on large areas of a body).
Application during pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
The safety of external application of glucocorticosteroids in pregnant women has not been established; therefore, the drug may be used only if the expected benefits to the mother exceed the potential risk to the fetus. In such cases, the use of the drug should be of short duration and limited to small areas of the skin.
Before using the drug, if you are pregnant, or if you assume that you might be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, it is necessary to consult your doctor.
Breast-feeding period
Breast-feeding should be discontinued during the use of the drug.
Dosage and administration
- For external use.
- The drug is applied to the affected area of the skin, a thin layer twice a day, gently rubbing. On areas of thicker skin (such as elbows, palms and feet), as well as areas from which the drug is easily rubbed off, you can apply the drug more often. The duration of treatment depends on the effectiveness and tolerability of the therapy and is no more than 4 weeks. In children and patients with facial skin lesions the treatment course should not exceed 5 days. Repeated therapy is possible during the year.
- The drug is used for treatment in the acute inflammatory phase of the disease, including for mucous skin lesions. For treatment of subacute and chronic dermatoses, including dry, lichenized and flaky lesions, it is advisable to use betamethasone in the form of an ointment for external use.
- If no improvement or worsening of symptoms or appearance of new symptoms after treatment, consult a physician. Use only according to the directions, route of administration and dose given in the instructions for use.
- Administration in children
Betamethasone in topical cream form may be used with caution in children from 1 year of age and for the shortest possible duration. Do not use the drug under bandages and especially under plastinated diapers, as this enhances absorption of betamethasone and increases the risk of side effects.
