What is betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
Clotrimazole is an antifungal antibiotic that treats or prevents infection caused by fungus.
Betamethasone is a topical steroid that reduces itching, swelling, and redness of the skin.
The combination of betamethasone and clotrimazole topical is used to treat fungal skin
infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm.
Betamethasone and clotrimazole topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in
this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to:
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betamethasone (such as Betaderm, Diprolene, Luxiq, Taclonex,
Uticort, Valisone);
-
clotrimazole (such as Desenex, Lotrimin, Mycelex);
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other topical steroid medications such as alclometasone
(Aclovate), clobetasol (Olux, Temovate), desonide (Desowen), desoximetasone (Topicort),
diflorasone (Florone, Psorcon), fluocinolone (Capex, Dermotic, Fluonid, Fluorosyn, Synalar),
fluocinonide (Dermacin, Lidex), fluticasone (Cutivate), halcinonide (Halog), halobetasol
(Ultravate), mometasone (Elocon), triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenalog); or
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other topical antibiotics such as econazole (Spectazole),
ketoconazole (Kuric, Nizoral), miconazole (Cruex, Desenex, Fungoid, Lotrimin, Micatin,
Monistat), sertaconazole (Ertaczo), or sulconazole (Exelderm).
Before using betamethasone topical, tell your doctor if you are allergic
to any drugs, or if you have any type of skin infection. You may not be able to use this
medication, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether betamethasone and clotrimazole passes into breast milk or if
it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication on a child younger than 17 years old. Children are more
likely to absorb the steroid through the skin. Never use betamethasone and clotrimazole to treat
diaper rash.
How should I take betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in
larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions
on your prescription label.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Wash your hands before and after applying this medicine.
Shake the lotion form of this medication well just before you use it.
Apply a thin layer of the medication and rub it in completely.
Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or tight clothing, unless your doctor
has told you to.
After applying this medication, allow your skin to dry completely before dressing. Wear
loose-fitting clothing while you are treating jock itch. If you are treating athlete's foot, wear
clean cotton socks and keep your feet as dry as possible.
Do not use betamethasone and clotrimazole for longer than 2 weeks for jock itch or 4
weeks for athlete's foot, unless your doctor has told you to.
It may take up to 1 or 2 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve.
For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your groin
symptoms do not improve after 1 week, or if your foot symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks
of treatment.
Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tube
or bottle capped and tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose of betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
Your pharmacist has information about betamethasone and clotrimazole topical written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these signs
that you may be absorbing betamethasone topical through your skin or gums:
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swelling, redness, or any signs of new infection;
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severe burning or stinging of treated skin;
-
weight gain, rounding of the face;
-
increased thirst or hunger, urinating more than usual; or
-
anxiety, depressed mood.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or tight clothing, unless your doctor
has told you to.
Do not use this medication on a child younger than 17 years old. Children are more
likely to absorb the steroid through the skin. Never use betamethasone and clotrimazole to treat
diaper rash.
It may take up to 1 or 2 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve.
For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your groin
symptoms do not improve after 1 week, or if your foot symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks
of treatment.
What should I avoid while taking betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it
does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use betamethasone and clotrimazole
topical on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing that doesn't allow air circulation. Until the infection
is healed, wear clothing that is made of natural fibers such as cotton.
What other drugs will affect betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically
applied betamethasone and clotrimazole. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your
doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling
your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of betamethasone and clotrimazole topical?