BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE

Betamethasone dipropionate cream contains betamethasone dipropionate, USP, a synthetic adrenocorticosteroid, for dermatologic use. Betamethasone, an analog of prednisolone, has high corticosteroid activity and slight mineral-ocorticoid activity. Betamethasone dipropionate is the 17,21-dipropionate ester of betamethasone. Chemically, betamethasone dipropionate is 9-Fluoro-11 β, 17,21-trihydroxy-16β-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione 17,21-dipropionate, with the empirical formula C 28 H 37 FO 7 , a molecular weight of 504 . 6, and the following structural formula: Betamethasone dipropionate is a white to creamy white, odorless crystalline powder, insoluble in water. Each gram of betamethasone dipropionate cream 0 . 05% contains: 0 . 64 mg betamethasone dipropionate USP (equivalent to 0 . 5 mg betamethasone) in a hydrophilic cream base consisting of purified water, mineral oil, white petrolatum, polyethylene glycol 1000 monocetyl ether, cetostearyl alcohol, monobasic sodium phosphate, propylene glycol, phosphoric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment and chlorocresol as a preservative. structure

Betamethasone dipropionate cream is a medium-potency corticosteroid indicated for relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in patients 13 years and older.

Apply a thin film of betamethasone dipropionate cream 0 . 05% to the affected skin areas once daily. In some cases, a twice-daily dosage may be necessary. Betamethasone dipropionate cream is not to be used with occlusive dressings.

Betamethasone dipropionate cream is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to betamethasone dipropionate, to other corticosteroids, or to any ingredient in this preparation.

The following local adverse reactions are reported infrequently when betamethasone dipropionate cream is used as recommended in the DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section. These reactions are listed in an approximate decreasing order of occurrence: burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, miliaria. Adverse reactions reported to be possibly or probably related to treatment with betamethasone dipropionate cream during a pediatric clinical study include signs of skin atrophy (bruising, shininess). Skin atrophy occurred in 3 of 63 (5%) patients, a 3-year old, a 5-year old, and a 7-year old. Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids has produced reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria in some patients.