BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE

Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP, 0.05% contains betamethasone dipropionate, USP, a synthetic adrenocorticosteroid, for dermatologic use. Betamethasone, an analog of prednisolone, has a high degree of glucocorticoid activity and a slight mineralocorticoid activity. Betamethasone dipropionate is the 17, 21-dipropionate ester of betamethasone. Betamethasone dipropionate is a white to creamy white, odorless crystalline powder, insoluble in water. Chemically, it is 9-Fluoro-11β,17,21-trihydroxy-16β-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione 17,21-dipropionate. The structural formula is: Each gram of Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream USP, 0.05% contains: 0.643 mg betamethasone dipropionate USP (equivalent to 0.5 mg betamethasone), in a hydrophilic emollient cream consisting of cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, mineral oil, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium phosphate monobasic, white petrolatum, chlorocresol as preservative, and phosphoric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. Chemical 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 USP, 0.05% to the affected skin areas once daily. In some cases, twice-daily dosage may be necessary. Betamethasone dipropionate cream USP, 0.05% should not 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 USP, 0.05% 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 infections, skin atrophy, striae and miliaria. Adverse reactions reported to be possibly or probably related to treatment with betamethasone dipropionate cream during a pedatric clinical study include signs of skin atrophy (brusing, 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.

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].