Betamethasone Dipropionate®

What is Betamethasone Dipropionate?

Betamethasone is a type of topical corticosteroid. It’s applied to areas of skin affected by dermatitis to help relieve and manage inflammation and itching.

It’s more potent than over-the-counter corticosteroids like hydrocortisone, but not as strong as ultra-high potency steroids like Clobetasol. This means it could be a good option if hydrocortisone hasn’t been effective at managing your dermatitis, but you don’t need to use the highest-strength treatment available.^[1]

How does Betamethasone Dipropionate work?

Dermatitis can be caused by lots of different things. Allergens, irritants, issues with your immune system, dry skin, genetics, infections, or stress are just some of the things that can cause it. When it flares up, it causes your skin to become inflamed, irritated, dry, and itchy.

Topical Betamethasone Dipropionate has anti-inflammatory and local immunosuppressant properties, meaning it helps reduce swelling and redness – as well as calming the immune reaction that causes dermatitis.

It does this in a few different ways. The first is by narrowing the blood vessels near the surface of your skin, so less of the substances in your blood that cause inflammation can reach your skin. It also mimics your body’s anti-inflammatory hormone (cortisol), which helps block the production of these substances.^[2] And finally, it ‘switches off’ the inflammatory genes that are activated by conditions like dermatitis, to help prevent inflammation.^[3]

How do Betamethasone Dipropionate doses work?

Betamethasone Dipropionate comes in one dose: 0.05% w/w. This means each gram of treatment contains 0.5 mg of active ingredient. It’s available as a cream or ointment, which both come in tubes of either 15 g or 45 g.

What is the active ingredient in Betamethasone Dipropionate?

Betamethasone Dipropionate is a generic medication that takes its name from its active ingredient. It’s a strong corticosteroid that acts as both a local immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory medication. So it helps to ease redness, discomfort and swelling, as well as calming the overactive immune response that characterizes dermatitis.

How to take Betamethasone Dipropionate

You should always follow your prescriber’s instructions when you’re using Betamethasone Dipropionate. Usually you’ll apply a thin layer to the affected area of skin once or twice per day, as you’ve been directed. Usually, you’ll use it for between two and three weeks – but this could be longer depending on the severity of your condition and your prescriber’s guidance.