Betnovate Cream
  • Betnovate
  • Betnovate Cream

Betnovate

Medication features

Betnovate cream is a strong corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and itching in skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It works by calming the skin, helping to relieve redness and swelling.

  • Helps to treat eczema & other skin conditions
  • Available as a cream or ointment
  • 0.1% Betamethasone valerate

Overview

Order Betnovate Steroid Cream Online

You can buy Betnovate cream or ointment from our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy service. Simply complete an online medical questionnaire as part of your order. This helps our doctors make sure it is safe and suitable to prescribe for you. 

If approved by our doctors, our pharmacy team will receive a prescription. This will be dispensed and dispatched to your delivery address.

This service is only available to patients who have been prescribed this medicine by their GP or dermatologist previously. You should be regularly monitored by your GP or dermatologist when using this medicine.

What is Betnovate?

Betnovate is a brand of medicine that contains the active ingredient betamethasone valerate. This is a steroid medication that is used in the treatment of eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis. Cream and ointment forms are available and it is a prescription-only medicine.

Betnovate is stronger than some other eczema creams. It is usually prescribed if weaker creams have not worked. It is a topical steroid known as a corticosteroid.

About Eczema

Eczema is also known as dermatitis. It is a common, long-term condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, and inflamed. The inflammation occurs when the body is exposed to a generally harmless allergen which the immune system mistakes for a harmful substance. The immune system then attacks the area of the skin causing inflammation. This type of inappropriate immune system response is known as an autoimmune condition.

An eczema flare-up can cause the skin barrier to become damaged. This may cause water to leave the skin and lead to itching and dryness. This is thought to make it easier for allergens (something that causes an allergic response) to irritate the skin and cause inflammation.

How does Betnovate work?

Betnovate and other steroid creams work on the skin cells to reduce the inflammatory response of the skin due to medical conditions or exposure to allergens. When exposed to an allergen the cells in the area release a chemical that causes inflammation, itching and swelling in the area. Betnovate prevents these cells from inappropriately releasing the substance, therefore reducing significantly reducing the inflammation and itching in the area. Once inflammation is under control the skin can begin to start healing.

What is Betnovate used for?

Betnovate (betamethasone valerate) is used for skin conditions associated with irritation, itching, swelling and inflammation of the skin. These can be conditions such as:

  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis
  • Allergic dermatitis (irritant contact dermatitis)
  • Severe insect bite reactions
  • Discoid lupus erythematosus
  • General inflamed rashes

As Betnovate is a potent corticosteroid, it is generally only used when weaker topical steroids are ineffective at relieving skin inflammation.

Application Instructions

You should apply exactly as your doctor has told you to. Usually, it is applied once or twice daily to the affected areas of the body and gently rubbed in. Like other steroid creams, you should only apply a thin layer. This is because applying a large amount of cream can cause thinning of the skin. 

When applying steroid creams you may be advised to use fingertip units as a guide. See section 3 of the patient information leaflet to see a description of fingertip units. This gives you a guide of how much cream or ointment to apply to different parts of the body. Wash your hands before and after applying the cream.

Betnovate is available as a cream or an ointment. Ointments are usually thicker and greasier and more suitable for dry, hairless skin. Creams tend to be less greasy and are better for moist or weepy skin.

Wait 30 minutes after applying Betnovate before you apply any other products, like moisturisers or emollients. You should put an airtight dressing over the area the cream is applied. If the affected skin does not improve after a course of treatment of 2 weeks, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Betnovate Summary

Dose

Apply once or twice daily to the affected area(s).

Active Ingredient

Betamethasone Valerate

Type of medicine

Topical Corticosteroid

Mechanism

Reduces allergic response of the skin.

Available Sizes

30g, 60g & 100g tubes

Price

From £8.99 for cream & ointment.

Side effects

Can include itching, irritation, slight burning sensation, stinging sensation

Prices

30g Cream

£8.99

2 x 30g Cream

£16.99

100g Cream

£17.49

30g Ointment

£8.99

2 x 30g Ointment

£16.99

100g Ointment

£17.49

*We do not charge prescription fees

Betnovate Side Effects

This medicine is unlikely to have side effects if you use it as directed by your doctor. Side effects are more likely to happen if you use it on large skin areas or use it for long periods. Applying too much, or applying it to sensitive areas of the skin like the face, also increases the chances of side effects.  

The most common side effect is a feeling of pain, itching, irritation, or burning in the affected area. 

Stop using Betnovate and speak to your doctor if you notice your skin changes or worsen when using it. See section 4 of the patient information leaflet for further information on serious side effects.

Warnings and Precautions

Betnovate is not suitable in some circumstances. People who have had an allergic reaction to betamethasone or any of the ingredients in Betnovate should not use it. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also not use it without consulting their doctor in person.

People with acne, rosacea and a type of psoriasis called plaque psoriasis should not apply Betnovate to these skin problems. Applying Betnovate to those skin conditions can make them worse. Betnovate should not be used on infected skin unless your doctor has prescribed an anti-infective medicine to use with it. Do not apply to the face, neck, or sensitive areas of the skin.

See the patient information leaflet for further information.

Interactions with other medicines

Betnovate generally does not interact with other medicines but you should tell your doctor about other medicines you take. If you use other topical products, leave at least 30 minutes between applying Betnovate and other products.

Betnovate alternatives

Various steroid creams are available to treat eczema flare-ups. Topical steroids range from mild to very potent. Betnovate 0.1% is a potent topical steroid. Examples of other topical steroids include:

Steroid creams combined with an antibiotic are useful for people who experience skin infections, such as infected eczema.

FAQ

What is Betnovate cream used for?

Betnovate is used to treat skin conditions that cause inflammation. This includes conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. 

Is Betnovate a steroid?

Yes, betamethasone is the active ingredient in Betnovate. This is known as a corticosteroid and is not the same thing as an anabolic steroid.

Is Betnovate stronger than hydrocortisone?

Hydrocortisone is another topical steroid used to treat conditions like eczema. Topical hydrocortisone is considered to be a mild steroid. Betamethasone 0.1% is considered a potent steroid, meaning it is stronger than hydrocortisone.

Another type of hydrocortisone, called hydrocortisone butyrate, can also be prescribed. This is considered a potent steroid.

How long does it take to work?

Your skin should improve after a few days of using it. Your doctor will tell you how long to use it for. If there is no improvement after around 2 weeks or so, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice. 

Can I buy Betnovate over the counter?

Betnovate cream, in the UK, is a prescription-only medicine. This means it is not available to buy over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Can I order Betnovate online?

Betnovate ointment and Betnovate cream can be ordered online from Simple Online Pharmacy. Our UK doctors ask you to complete an online consultation before ordering. Our doctors then check this to make sure it is safe to prescribe for you.

A prescription is then sent to our pharmacy team and the medicine is delivered to your address. We use Royal Mail as a delivery service. Our Betnovate cream price includes any prescription fees.

Author

Hywel McGlinchy, Clinical Pharmacist

Name

Hywel McGlinchy

RoleClinical Pharmacist
Qual.Masters of Pharmacy
AboutHywel started with Simple Online Pharmacy in 2020. He's responsible for helping author and review accurate site content. He also works with our GPs to make sure all aspects of patient safety are covered. 

FAQ

What is eczema?

Eczema is a long term, inflammatory skin condition which usually has periods when it flares and periods when it clears. It can cause itchy and dry skin and is commonly found on the back of the knees, on the hands, and the inside of the elbows.

What does eczema look like?

In eczema, the skin is often inflamed and can be weepy. In lighter skin, eczema might become red. In darker skin, the inflamed skin might be grey, dark brown, or purple. This page shows several photos of eczema in people of different ages.

How do you get eczema?

There is no single cause of eczema. It is thought to involve a combination of factors like genes, environmental factors, and the immune system. 

People with a family history of eczema, hayfever, and/or asthma may be more likely to get eczema. There are also trigger factors that may cause eczema flares in some people. Examples of these are certain soaps, certain fabrics, pet fur, and pollen.

Can stress cause eczema?

Stress is thought to be one trigger factor that can exacerbate eczema or cause flares. Eczema can also cause people to feel stressed about their symptoms.

Can you buy steroid creams over the counter?

Some steroid creams can be bought over the counter at pharmacies. This includes Hydrocortisone 1% and Eumovate 0.05% but they can only be purchased after receiving medical advice from a pharmacist. Other corticosteroid creams are prescription-only medicines. 

You can order prescription eczema creams (UK) from our online doctor service. We ask that you complete an online medical questionnaire to enable our doctors to check that it is safe to prescribe. This service is only available to patients already prescribed specific steroid creams by their GP.

Reviews

Info Leaflet

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Ingredients

Betnovate ingredients

For both the cream and ointment the active ingredient is betamethasone valerate 0.1% w/w.

Other ingredients for the cream are chlorocresol, cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, sodium acid phosphate, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

The other ingredients in the ointment are liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin.

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