Betamethasone+clotrimazole
About
Betamethasone+clotrimazole is a dermatological medication primarily used to treat fungal infections, such as ringworm, jock itch (red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body), athlete’s foot (fungal infections between toes). Fungal infection occurs when a fungus invades and affects the tissue on the skin. Symptoms of a fungal infection include skin rash, irritation, redness, and scaling of the skin.
Betamethasone+clotrimazole is composed of two medicines: Betamethasone (steroid) and clotrimazole (antifungal). Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication used to treat various fungal infections, such as vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, and ringworm. Clotrimazole stops the growth of fungi by causing damage and leakage to the fungal cell membrane. It is also used to treat athlete’s foot and jock itch. Betamethasone belongs to the class of corticosteroids, which block prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that make the affected area red, swollen, and itchy.
You are advised to use Betamethasone+clotrimazole for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience itching, dryness, redness, and burning sensation at the application site, thinning of the skin, skin peeling. Most of these side effects of Betamethasone+clotrimazole do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to Betamethasone+clotrimazole or any other medications. Do not put dressing or bandage on the affected area since it increases the risk of side effects. Inform your doctor if you have other skin infections and liver disease. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult the doctor before starting Betamethasone+clotrimazole. If nursing mothers apply Betamethasone+clotrimazole to their breasts for treatment, it is advised to wash the affected area thoroughly before breastfeeding the baby. Betamethasone+clotrimazole is not recommended for children below 17 years of age. Betamethasone+clotrimazole has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Uses of Betamethasone+clotrimazole
Medicinal Benefits
Betamethasone+clotrimazole is used to treat fungal infections, such as fungal infections, ringworm, jock itch (red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body), athlete’s foot (fungal infections between toes). Betamethasone+clotrimazole is a composition of two medicines: Betamethasone (steroid) and clotrimazole (antifungal). Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication used to treat various fungal infections, such as vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, and ringworm. Clotrimazole stops the growth of fungi by causing damage and leakage to the fungal cell membrane. It is also used to treat athlete’s foot and jock itch. Betamethasone belongs to the class of corticosteroids, which block prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that make the affected area red, swollen, and itchy.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Betamethasone+clotrimazole
- Itching
- Dryness
- Redness
- Burning sensation at the application site
- Skin thinning/discoloration
- Skin peeling
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Betamethasone+clotrimazole on open wounds, blisters, and lesions. Do not put dressing or bandage on the affected area since it increases the risk of side effects. Please check with your doctor before using Betamethasone+clotrimazole, if you have glaucoma (increased eye pressure), cataract, liver disease, and skin reaction. Betamethasone+clotrimazole may increase the sugar level in blood and urine, inform your doctor if you have diabetes before using Betamethasone+clotrimazole. Topical use of corticosteroids (Betamethasone) may sometimes cause systemic immunosuppression while treating infections. This condition may worsen the infections, hence Betamethasone+clotrimazole should be carefully used with patients with active infections. Do not use Betamethasone+clotrimazole for treating diaper rash since Betamethasone can cause adrenal suppression, Cushing's syndrome (high cortisol levels), and intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the brain) infants due to systemic absorption. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult the doctor before starting Betamethasone+clotrimazole. If nursing mothers apply Betamethasone+clotrimazole to their breasts for treatment, it is advised to wash the affected area thoroughly before breastfeeding the baby. Betamethasone+clotrimazole is not recommended for children below 17 years of age. Betamethasone+clotrimazole has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Betamethasone+clotrimazole may interact with medicines used to prevent early pregnancy (misoprostol), medicines for tuberculosis (rifampicin), antibiotics (azithromycin), fit disorder (phenobarbitone), blood pressure-lowering medicines (aliskiren, amlodipine), antidiabetic (insulin regular, glimepiride, acarbose), medicines for arthritis (adalimumab).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoiding fatty foods, tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine can effectively manage fungal and bacterial infections.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Betamethasone+clotrimazole may have interactions with liver disease, diabetes, infections, diaper rashes, and eye toxicity.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedDrinking alcohol does not cause side effects. But avoid too much-drinking alcohol. Please consult your doctor before using Betamethasone+clotrimazole.
Pregnancy
cautionBetamethasone+clotrimazole contains betamethasone that may increase the risk of low birth weight in the new-born baby. Please consult the doctor before starting Betamethasone+clotrimazole if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Betamethasone+clotrimazole if you are breastfeeding. If you need to apply the cream or ointment on your breasts, don't do this shortly before giving a feed or wash the affected area thoroughly.
Driving
safe if prescribedBetamethasone+clotrimazole has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Betamethasone+clotrimazole. However, it is not recommended in patients with severe liver diseases.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Betamethasone+clotrimazole. However, it is not recommended in patients with severe kidney diseases.
Children
unsafeBetamethasone+clotrimazole is not recommended for anyone younger than 17 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Use mild soap while taking baths and prefer warm baths.
- Always wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid further sweat and spread of the fungal infection.
- Regularly change your socks and wash your feet. Avoid shoes that make your feet sweaty and hot.
- Do not walk barefoot at places like gym showers to prevent fungal and bacterial infections.
- Do not scratch the affected area of skin as it can spread the infection to other body parts.
- Avoid sharing towels, combs, bedsheets, shoes, or socks with others.
- Wash your bed sheets and towels regularly.
- Follow a candida diet if you suffer from a vaginal yeast infection. Candida diet excludes high sugary foods, some dairy products, and foods with artificial preservatives.
- Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
Special Advise
Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly since Betamethasone in Betamethasone+clotrimazole can cause a rise in blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Fungal infection: A fungal infection (also called mycosis) is a skin disease caused by a fungus when it invades the tissue. These are some of the fungal infections:
Athlete's foot: It is a fungal infection between the toes due to sweating.
Ringworm infection: A highly infectious fungal infection of the scalp or skin. It is spread by skin-to-skin contact or by touching an infected object or animal. This infection is scaly and may be itchy and red.
Jock itch: It is a fungal infection that results in a red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body.
FAQs
Betamethasone+clotrimazole consists of Clotrimazole and Betamethasone. Clotrimazole, an antifungal drug, stops fungal growth by causing damage and leakage to the fungal cell membrane. Betamethasone, a corticosteroid, works by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that make the affected area red, swollen, and itchy.
Betamethasone+clotrimazole consists of betamethasone that can cause a rise in blood sugar levels by suppressing insulin secretion. Hence it is advised to consult your doctor before starting Betamethasone+clotrimazole.
The most common side effects of Betamethasone+clotrimazole are itching, dryness, redness, and burning sensation at the application site thinning of the skin, skin peeling. Most of these side effects of Betamethasone+clotrimazole do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
You are required to maintain at least a three-hour gap after application of Betamethasone+clotrimazole if you are using more than one topical medicine.
Using steroids like Betamethasone may increase the risk of low birth weight in the new-born baby. Please consult the doctor before starting Betamethasone+clotrimazole if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
