How It Works
Betamethasone valerate calms the immune response in the skin by reducing the amount of inflammatory chemicals produced and released. It also narrows the blood vessels in the application area, further reducing swelling.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Common Brands | Available as a generic only |
| Drug Class | Topical corticosteroid |
| Generic Status | Generic is available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Dosing
Betamethasone valerate ointment comes in a 0.1% strength, which means each gram of ointment contains the equivalent of 1 milligram of betamethasone. The percentage doesn’t tell you how strong one steroid is compared with another, as some steroids with a lower percentage can be stronger.
Providers typically advise applying a thin layer or film to the affected area of skin one to three times daily. Treatment usually lasts about two weeks. If your skin isn’t better after about two weeks, or if it gets worse at any point, check with your provider before continuing.
Note: Dosing information below is educational only. Your prescribing physician will determine your specific dose based on your individual health needs. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for exact dosing.
Uses
FDA-Approved Uses
Betamethasone valerate ointment is FDA-approved to relieve redness, itching, and swelling from skin conditions that respond to corticosteroids, such as eczema (atopic dermatitis) and contact dermatitis.
Off-Label Uses
You may see some medications prescribed for uses that are not “FDA-approved.” This is a common and legal practice called “off-label” prescribing, where a doctor uses their clinical judgment to prescribe a drug for a purpose that isn’t listed in its FDA-approved labeling.
Some providers may prescribe betamethasone valerate off-label for vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose their color. Topical steroids can help some people regain color in smaller patches, but results vary.
Side Effects
Like all medications, betamethasone valerate ointment can cause side effects. Most side effects are localized to the area of skin where the ointment is applied. Other side effects may be serious and require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
- Burning or stinging
- Itching
- Irritation
- Dryness
- Redness
- Inflamed hair follicles
- Acne-like bumps
- Lightening of the skin color
- Skin thinning (atrophy)
- Stretch marks
- Skin infection
- Rash
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare, but it’s important to know what to look for if they do occur. Call your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Severe allergic reactions: Stop using the ointment and call 911 or get emergency help right away if you have sudden swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing. Other signs of an allergic reaction can include a racing heart, severe rash or itching, and fever.
- Reduced adrenal function: Betamethasone can reduce your body’s production of cortisol (the stress hormone) if absorbed into the bloodstream. The risk may be higher when using other corticosteroids, applying them to large or damaged areas of skin, or covering the skin after application. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, weakness, fatigue, or low energy.
- Cushing’s syndrome: Rarely, enough betamethasone can be absorbed through your skin to cause Cushing’s syndrome because the corticosteroid acts like cortisol in your body. The risk may be higher when using topical betamethasone with other corticosteroids. Symptoms include a round, rosy face, unusual tiredness, weight gain in the upper body, thinning of the skin, acne, mood changes, kidney stones, sleep problems, and unusual hair growth.
- Vision problems: Topical betamethasone used near the eyes can increase the risk of developing cataracts or glaucoma, which can lead to vision loss. However, tell your provider about any changes in your vision, even if you only use the ointment on other parts of your body. Symptoms include cloudy vision, nearsightedness, eye pain or redness, seeing colorful circles around lights, other vision changes, and severe headache or vomiting. Glaucoma often causes no symptoms at first. Get medical care right away for sudden, intense eye pain, especially with a red eye, blurry vision, or nausea.
- High blood sugar: Betamethasone can raise your blood sugar levels. The risk may be higher when the medication is used with other corticosteroids. Symptoms include increased thirst or hunger, more frequent urination, tiredness, and stomach upset. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if your breath smells fruity, you have new confusion, you’re having trouble breathing, or you’re vomiting and can’t keep food or drinks down.
- Skin reactions: Because corticosteroids suppress the local immune response, the treated skin area may become more susceptible to bacterial or fungal infections. Topical betamethasone valerate can also cause other skin side effects, such as heat rash, thinning of the skin, acne-like bumps, inflamed hair follicles, stretch marks, and lightening of skin color. The risk of these side effects may be higher in adults over 65.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any concerning or prolonged symptoms.
Pharmacist Tips
Don’t Use It If You’re Allergic To It
Don’t use this ointment if you’re allergic to betamethasone valerate or any of its ingredients, and tell your provider or pharmacist about any reaction you’ve had to a topical steroid in the past.
Wash Your Hands
It’s important to wash your hands before and immediately after applying the ointment, unless the hands are the specific area requiring treatment. In that case, you only need to wash your hands before applying.
Only Use Externally
Apply betamethasone valerate ointment only to the skin, and keep it out of your eyes and mouth. Don’t use it on your face, genitals, groin, or underarms unless your provider tells you to because the skin in these areas is thinner and more sensitive.
Do Not Bandage The Area
Do not cover the treated area with airtight bandages or wraps, unless your healthcare provider has told you to do so. Sealing the area increases the amount of medication absorbed into the bloodstream, which can increase the risk of side effects.
Ask Before Using Other Skin Products On The Area During Treatment
Moisturizers can be part of your treatment plan. Ask your provider or pharmacist which other products you can use on the treated area and how long to wait between them and this ointment, including cosmetics.
Store At Room Temperature
Betamethasone valerate ointment should be stored at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) in a cool, dry place away from light.
Tell Your Provider If You’re Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
It is not known if betamethasone valerate ointment can affect pregnancy, harm an unborn baby, or pass into breast milk. Tell your provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to be, so they can advise whether it’s safe for you to use the medication. If you’re breastfeeding, don’t apply it to the nipple or areola, and make sure your baby’s skin doesn’t touch any treated areas.
Drug Interactions
Certain medications and substances can interact with betamethasone valerate ointment, potentially altering its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. For example:
- Corticosteroids: Taking oral, inhaled, or other topical steroids (such as dexamethasone, prednisone, or methylprednisolone) while using betamethasone valerate can increase the risk of serious side effects.
- Topical medications or skin products: Avoid applying other topical products, like cosmetics or medicated lotions, to the same area without first talking to your care team.
Always give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, vitamins, and supplements to check for potential interactions.
FAQs
What is the difference in potency between betamethasone valerate ointment and betamethasone valerate cream?
While both contain the same active ingredient, the formulation influences how the medication penetrates the skin. Ointments have a higher oil content and create a thicker barrier on the skin’s surface. This barrier helps seal moisture into the skin, which can affect how the medication is absorbed. As a result, ointments are generally considered more potent and appropriate for thick, scaly lesions, whereas creams are lighter.
Why might an ointment be a good choice for thick psoriasis plaques, instead of a cream?
Plaque psoriasis can cause thick, dry, and scaly patches on the skin. Ointments are occlusive, meaning they seal moisture into the skin, which can help soften dry plaques. However, some trials have found that ointment, cream, and lotion formulations all work equally well. Your provider will choose the form that fits your skin.
What is the difference between betamethasone valerate and betamethasone dipropionate?
The primary difference between betamethasone valerate and betamethasone dipropionate is their potency. Some betamethasone dipropionate products, such as the ointment and the augmented formulations, are stronger than betamethasone valerate ointment, while others are about the same strength. Stronger products can carry a higher risk of side effects and may be used for more stubborn or severe skin conditions. Your provider will choose the product and strength that fit your skin condition.
Why should you avoid applying betamethasone valerate to areas like the face or underarms?
The skin on the face, groin, and underarms is naturally much thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of the body. Because the skin barrier is delicate in these areas, topical steroids are absorbed at a much higher rate. Using betamethasone valerate in these areas increases the risk of skin thinning (atrophy) or stretch marks. Most skin thinning improves after you stop using the medicine, but stretch marks may be permanent. If your provider has told you to use it on one of these areas, follow their directions, since it’s sometimes prescribed there for short periods.
Can you cover the betamethasone valerate application site with a tight bandage?
No, do not cover the treated skin with bandages or wraps unless your doctor instructs you to do so. Doing so can increase the drug’s absorption into the bloodstream, possibly leading to serious side effects such as hormonal changes and severe skin irritation.
Why shouldn’t you use this medicine on an untreated skin infection?
Corticosteroids work by suppressing the local immune system to stop inflammation. While this can help calm inflammation from conditions like eczema, suppressing the immune system during an active infection can weaken the body’s natural defenses against bacteria, fungi, or viruses. This can cause the infection to spread or worsen. Any underlying infection must be properly treated either before or at the same time as steroid treatment.
Can you use betamethasone valerate ointment during pregnancy?
Only if your provider decides the benefits outweigh the possible risks. It is not definitively known if or how topical betamethasone might harm an unborn baby or affect pregnancy, so risk cannot be ruled out. If your provider determines that the medication is necessary during pregnancy, it should only be applied to the smallest possible area of skin for the shortest duration needed.
Can a patient use betamethasone valerate ointment to treat acne, rosacea, or perioral dermatitis?
No. In fact, topical corticosteroids are known to trigger or severely worsen conditions like acne, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis (a red rash around the mouth). Applying this medication to these facial conditions may exacerbate the problem. If you are dealing with these skin issues, it is recommended to speak to a dermatologist about an appropriate treatment.
How frequently should betamethasone valerate ointment be applied for an eczema flare?
While a healthcare provider must determine exact dosing, standard guidelines suggest applying a thin layer of the ointment to the affected eczema patches 1–3 times daily. To prevent long-term skin damage, treatment is usually administered for a short period (2 weeks) and stopped once the eczema flare is under control.
Can applying betamethasone valerate ointment near the eyelids increase the risk of developing glaucoma?
Yes. Avoid applying topical corticosteroids near the eyes. The medication can migrate into the eye tissue, and absorption through the thin eyelid skin is high. Prolonged exposure to corticosteroids in the eye can increase the risk of glaucoma or cataracts, both of which can lead to vision loss. Vision problems from cataracts can usually be improved with surgery, but damage from glaucoma can’t be reversed.
Can you experience a rebound flare if betamethasone valerate is stopped abruptly after long-term use?
Yes. Eczema or psoriasis can flare again, sometimes more strongly, when betamethasone valerate is stopped suddenly, especially after long-term use. If you’ve been using it for a long time, ask your healthcare provider how to reduce or stop it safely.
Comparable Medications
Betamethasone valerate ointment, hydrocortisone, betamethasone dipropionate, tacrolimus, or Lotrisone?
There are several medications your doctor can prescribe instead of betamethasone valerate ointment. Here are a few possible alternatives below.
Hydrocortisone
From $24.99
A topical corticosteroid used to relieve inflammation and itching caused by allergic reactions, eczema, insect bites, and psoriasis.
Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment
From $31.99
A related steroid that comes in several formulations with different potencies, some stronger than betamethasone valerate ointment, used for skin conditions like eczema and plaque psoriasis.
Tacrolimus Ointment
From $59.99
A non-steroid medicine called a calcineurin inhibitor, used for moderate-to-severe eczema when other prescription skin treatments haven’t worked well enough or aren’t a good option.
Clotrimazole / Betamethasone Cream
From $29.89
Combines an antifungal with a corticosteroid to treat inflamed fungal skin infections like ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot. Note that this treatment is meant for fungal infections, not eczema.
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Important: Information on this page is for educational purposes only. Prescribing decisions are made by independent, licensed providers. TelyRx operates technology-enabled pharmacies and a telehealth platform that connects patients with licensed providers. Prescriptions, when provider-approved and issued, are filled and shipped by TelyRx-affiliated pharmacies. We do not employ physicians or make prescribing decisions. Learn more about our editorial standards here.