Manufacturer: Schering AG, Germany
Pharmaceutical name: betamethasone / salicylic acid
Pack: 1 tube 30g (0.5mg + 30mg/g)

Betamethasone belongs to the family of medications known as corticosteroids. It works by reducing itching and inflammation. Salicylic acid belongs to the family of medications known as keratolytics. It works by breaking down dead skin cells.

What is it used for?:
• Dry, scaly, inflamed skin conditions
• Eczema
• Psoriasis

Contraindications and cautions:
You should not use this medication in:
• Acne
• Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
• Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)
• Itching around the back passage and genitals
• Nappy rash or fungal and bacterial skin infections, unless also treated with anti-infective medicines
• Skin sores caused by tuberculosis
• Viral skin infections such as chickenpox or herpes simplex
• This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
• The safety of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Warning! • Avoid prolonged use.
• This preparation is for external use only.
• This medicine should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s). • You should not cover the area being treated with airtight dressings such as bandages or other dressings, including nappies, as these will enhance the absorption of the medicine into the body and may increase the risk of adverse effects.
• Avoid contact of this medicine with the eyes and the moist membranes lining the inside of certain parts of the body, eg mouth, nasal passages (mucous membranes). Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs.
• Long term use of this medicine on large areas of skin, particularly in skin folds or if the skin is damaged, may result in increased absorption of the medicine into the bloodstream, with an increased risk of side effects.
• This medicine should not be used for longer than five days on the face or in children.
• The use of this medicine should be carefully supervised and the need for it reviewed by a doctor after 2 weeks of treatment.

Side effects:
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
• Stretch marks (striae)
• Skin thinning
• Inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) with prolonged use
• Slight widening of the veins in the skin, especially the face The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drugis manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions:
It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe. However there are no significant interactions reported with this medicine.