Betamethasone+urea
About
Betamethasone+urea belongs to the class of medications called ‘dermatological agents’ used to treat eczema and psoriasis. Eczema is a condition in which skin becomes red, itchy and inflamed due to external agents such as soaps, dyes, or other irritants. Psoriasis is an autoimmune (immune system attacks healthy cells) skin disorder in which the skin becomes scaly, swelled up and itchy.
Betamethasone+urea is a combination of two medicines: Betamethasone and Urea. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory agent that blocks prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers that make the affected area red, swollen, and itchy). Urea is a keratolytic (removes dead tissue) and accelerates healing.
Betamethasone+urea is for external (skin) use only. You should use this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. The common side-effects of Betamethasone+urea are redness, burning or stinging sensation, inflamed hair follicles, itching and blistering at the site of application. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Betamethasone+urea if you are allergic to any contents of it, or developed any skin irritation or other reaction to steroids in the past. Before taking Betamethasone+urea, inform your doctor if you have skin atrophy (thinning of the skin) at the treatment site, skin infections, diabetes, adrenal gland problems, liver problems and eye problems such as cataracts (clouding of the eye), or glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye). Betamethasone+urea should be used with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Betamethasone+urea is not recommended for use in children below 13 years of age. Betamethasone+urea should be used with caution in elderly patients. Betamethasone+urea may not affect your ability to drive.
Uses of Betamethasone+urea
Medicinal Benefits
Betamethasone+urea is used to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis. It is a combination of two drugs: Betamethasone and Urea. Betamethasone can reduce inflammation and helps to relieve symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching, whereas Urea accelerates healing. Thus, Betamethasone+urea can effectively improve your condition within 2 weeks of using this medicine. For the best results, you should exactly use for the duration prescribed by the doctor.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Betamethasone+urea
- Redness at the application site
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Inflamed hair follicles
- Itching
- Blistering
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Betamethasone+urea is for topical (skin) use only. It is not recommended for use on larger areas of skin. It would be best if you did not cover the treated area with a bandage or plaster, especially the face, without checking with your doctor. Do not use the medicine in and around your eyes. If the medicine accidentally gets into your eyes, nose, mouth or genitals, rinse it with water thoroughly. Betamethasone+urea may increase skin sensitivity to the sun, so take necessary precautions while going outside and avoid tanning beds or sunlamps. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice swelling or weight gain around the trunk or in the face, as it may be a sign of Cushing’s syndrome (high levels of cortisol in the body). Please do not use this medicine for longer than recommended by your doctor as it may suppress adrenal gland function and may increase the risk of vision problems. Betamethasone+urea should be used with caution in patients with diabetes as it can increase blood glucose levels. It is not recommended for fungal skin infections. If you notice any persistent skin irritation or worsening of the skin disease, stop using Betamethasone+urea and inform your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Betamethasone+urea may interact with other steroids (dexamethasone, fluocinolone, beclometasone, and mometasone, etc.), medicines used to treat HIV (ritonavir and cobicistat) and medicine used to treat fungal infections (itraconazole).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Betamethasone+urea should be used with caution in patients with diabetes, adrenal gland problems, liver problems and eye problems such as cataract (clouding of the eye) or glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedBetamethasone+urea may not interact with alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionBetamethasone+urea is a Category C pregnancy drug and may cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. So, it is given to a pregnant woman only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionBetamethasone+urea may pass into breast milk and cause harmful effects in the nursing baby. So, it is given to a breastfeeding mother only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedBetamethasone+urea may not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionBetamethasone+urea should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionBetamethasone+urea should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeBetamethasone+urea is not recommended for children below 13 years as there is a risk of growth retardation.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Use mild soap while taking baths and prefer warm baths.
- Avoid harsh products on your skin.
- Do not scratch or pick your skin to avoid getting the affected area infected.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Limit food intake that might trigger allergies such as dairy products, soy, eggs, and nuts.
- Avoid consumption of foods with excess sugar as it may flare up inflammation.
- Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and fish in your diet.
- Avoid getting in contact with harsh soaps, detergents, and rough fabrics.
- Wear clothes with long sleeves, a hat, and sunscreen of high SPF while going outdoors.
- Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps.
Special Advise
- Do not use on open or cut wounds.
- If applied to the eyelids, care is needed to ensure that the preparation does not enter the eye, as cataract and glaucoma might result from repeated exposure.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Eczema: Eczema is a skin inflammatory condition characterized by red and itchy rashes. The most common cause of eczema is allergies. Contact with soaps, dyes, chemicals or other irritants may trigger rashes. Avoiding the triggers helps to prevent flare-ups of eczema.
Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by red, itchy and scaly rashes. This condition occurs when skin cells grow and build up rapidly resulting in scaly rashes. It is a chronic disease and doesn’t have a permanent cure. So, to avoid flare-ups of the disease, avoid triggers such as stress and cold.
FAQs
Betamethasone+urea is used in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is a combination of two medicines: Betamethasone and Urea. Betamethasone is a steroid and anti-inflammatory agent that blocks prostaglandins production (chemical messengers that make the affected area red, swollen, and itchy). Urea is a keratolytic (remove dead tissue) and accelerates healing.
Betamethasone+urea is for topical use (for skin) only. Do not use Betamethasone+urea on the face and avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth and genitals. Do not put a bandage or a dressing on the affected area while using Betamethasone+urea unless advised by the doctor. Please do not use it on larger areas and for prolonged periods unless prescribed by the doctor.
The common side-effects of Betamethasone+urea are redness, burning or stinging sensation, inflamed hair follicles, itching and blistering at the site of application. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
Betamethasone+urea should be used with caution in patients with diabetes, adrenal gland problems, skin infections, liver problems, eye problems such as cataract (clouding of the eye) and glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye) medicine can worsen the above conditions.
Betamethasone+urea is not recommended to treat diaper rash or redness. However, please consult a doctor before using Betamethasone+urea in children.
Inform your doctor before using any medications while using Betamethasone+urea. If the doctor prescribes other skin creams or ointments along with Betamethasone+urea, you should maintain an interval of at least 30 min between the two medications.
