Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Betamethasone dipropionate is asynthetic glucocorticoid that is used topically on the skin. (Thenaturally-occurring glucocorticoid is cortisol or hydrocortisone which isproduced by the adrenal gland.) Glucocorticoids have potentanti-inflammatory actions and also suppresses the immune response.

PREPARATIONS: Cream (0.05%), Ointment (0.05%), Topical aerosol(0.1%) Topical lotion (0.05%); Augmented Gel, Cream, Ointment, or Lotion(0.05%; Diprolene). The augmented formulation (Diprolene) is a highlypotent form of betamethasone dipropionate which can suppress theproduction of hydrocortisone by the body under several circumstances. Suchcircumstances include application for 7 days or longer, to broken skin, toa large part of the body, and in children.

STORAGE: All preparations should be kept between 20 and 30°C(36-86°F). Lotion should be shaken before each use.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Betamethasone dipropionate is used for therelief of itching and inflammation associated with a wide variety of skinconditions.

DOSING: A thin strip of betamethasone dipropionate cream orointment is applied gently to the affected area once or twice daily. A fewdrops of the lotion is applied to the affected area once or twice daily.The lotion should be massaged gently until it disappears. The augmentedlotion should not be used for longer than two weeks, and not more than 50ml should be used per week. The augmented cream or ointment should belimited to 45 grams per week.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known drug interactions withtopical betamethasone dipropionate.

PREGNANCY: When glucocorticoids are given systemically (orally,intramuscularly or intravenously) to pregnant animals, fetal abnormalitiesoccur. Following application to the skin, a small amount of betamethasonedipropionate is absorbed into the blood and is distributed systemically tothe rest of the body. In fact, fetal abnormalities have been noted whenpotent glucocorticoids are applied to the skin of pregnant animals thoughbetamethasone dipropionate specifically has not been studied in animals.Furthermore, there is no data on the use of betamethasone dipropionate inpregnant women. The use of betamethasone dipropionate during pregnancy,therefore, should be carefully considered with the potential risk weighedagainst the possible benefit.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if betamethasone dipropionate is secreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly-noted side effects ofbetamethasone dipropionate are burning at the area of application,itching, irritation, and dryness. All of these are unusual, however.

Topical application of glucocorticoids may suppress the body'sproduction of cortisol. This is especially true for potent products suchas the augmented formulation of betamethasone dipropionate (Diprolene). Ifsuppression has occurred for a long enough period of time, discontinuingthe potent glucocorticoid can be associated with symptoms ofglucocorticoid deficiency. (It takes the adrenal glands some time beforethey can begin producing glucocorticoids again.)

Absorption of potent glucocorticoids can increase the glucose concentration in the blood (this is especially worrisome in diabetics) andcause symptoms of glucocorticoid excess (weight gain, redistribution offat stores, and psychiatric problems). The suppression of inflammation andthe immune response caused by glucocorticoid excess also allows infectionsto occur more easily.