betamethasone valerate + neomycin at a glance
Medicine class
Potent topical corticosteroid with an aminoglycoside antibiotic.
Cream or ointment
Cream generally suits moist or weeping skin; ointment generally suits dry, thickened or scaly skin.
Fire safety
Contaminated fabric burns more easily. Keep it away from smoking and naked flames.
What is betamethasone valerate + neomycin used for?
Licensed uses are inflammatory skin disorders with secondary bacterial infection present, suspected or likely.
Atopic or discoid eczema
Prurigo nodularis
Psoriasis, excluding widespread plaque psoriasis
Lichen simplex, lichen planus and other neurodermatoses
Seborrhoeic dermatitis and contact-sensitivity reactions
Inflamed insect-bite reactions
Anal or genital intertrigo
How does betamethasone valerate + neomycin work?
Betamethasone valerate suppresses skin inflammation, reducing redness, swelling and itching. Neomycin kills susceptible bacteria associated with secondary infection; it does not treat fungal or viral infection.
betamethasone valerate + neomycin preparations and strengths
Cream
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 1 mg + 5 mg/g
Ointment
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 1 mg + 5 mg/g
How to take betamethasone valerate + neomycin
Use only on affected skin as prescribed.
Wash your hands before and after application unless your hands are being treated.
Rub it gently into the affected skin.
Avoid the eyes; rinse with plenty of water after accidental contact.
Do not dilute or mix it with another cream or ointment.
Use on the face or beneath an airtight dressing only when specifically directed.
Clean the skin before replacing a dressing.
Keep treated clothing, bedding and dressings away from cigarettes and naked flames.
betamethasone valerate + neomycin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Itching at the application site
- Local burning or skin pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Worsening, swelling, widespread rash or hives suggesting hypersensitivity or contact allergy
- Spreading infection or rapidly worsening skin symptoms
- Blurred vision or another new visual disturbance
- Pus-filled raised lesions in someone with psoriasis
- Skin thinning, stretch marks or visible small blood vessels
- Facial rounding, unexplained weight gain or growth suppression in a child
- Marked redness, burning, peeling or oozing extending beyond the treated area after stopping
betamethasone valerate + neomycin in pregnancy
The selected product information does not recommend this combination during pregnancy because topical neomycin evidence is limited and systemic neomycin creates a theoretical fetal risk. A prescriber should assess whether this combination is necessary.
betamethasone valerate + neomycin while breastfeeding
The selected product information does not recommend this combination during breastfeeding because neomycin evidence is limited. SPS considers topical betamethasone and antimicrobial combinations compatible with breastfeeding, so product-specific assessment is needed. Prevent infant contact with treated skin and remove treatment from the breast before feeding.
betamethasone valerate + neomycin interactions
Important interactions mainly matter when substantial absorption through the skin could occur.
Neuromuscular blocking medicines used during surgery
Absorbed neomycin may intensify and prolong muscle relaxation and respiratory depression. Tell the surgical or anaesthetic team about recent use.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ritonavir and itraconazole
These may reduce corticosteroid metabolism and increase systemic steroid exposure, particularly when skin absorption is increased.
Common questions about betamethasone valerate + neomycin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is it a steroid or an antibiotic?
Both. Betamethasone valerate is a potent topical corticosteroid and neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic.
Does it treat every infected rash?
No. It is for certain inflamed skin disorders with secondary susceptible bacterial infection, not undiagnosed rashes or primary fungal, viral or bacterial lesions.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.