BETAMETHASONE VALERATE/CLIOQUINOL 1 MG / 30 MG / G OINTMENT - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Betamethasone valerate/Clioquinol 1 mg/30 mg/g Ointment

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
• The name of this medicine is Betamethasone valerate/Clioquinol

1 mg/30 mg/g Ointment but it will be referred to as Betamethasone/ Clioquinol Ointment throughout the remainder of this leaflet.

What is in this leaflet:

• 1. What Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment is and what it is used for

• 2. What you need to know before you use Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment

• 3. How to use Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment

• 4. Possible side effects

• 5. How to store Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment

• 6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. what betamethasone/clioquinol ointment is and what it is used for

Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment contains two different medicines called betamethasone valerate and clioquinol.

• Betamethasone valerate belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. It helps to reduce swelling and irritation.
• Clioquinol is a type of anti-infective medicine. It fights bacterial and fungal infections of the skin.

This medicine is used to help reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems. These skin problems include eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis or insect bites, where an infection may be a problem.

2. what you need to know before you use betamethasone/clioquinol ointment

Do not use Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment:

• if you are allergic to betamethasone valerate, clioquinol or any of the other ingredients (listed in section 6)
• if you are allergic to iodine
• on a child under 1 year old
• to treat any of the following skin problems, it could make them worse:

• – acne

• – severe flushing of skin on and around your nose (rosacea)

• – spotty red rash around your mouth (perioral dermatitis)

• – viral infections, such as cold sores, herpes or chicken pox

• – blisters or sores on your face and hands (impetigo), or other bacterial infections

• – fungal infections, such as ringworm, athletes foot or thrush

• – itching around your back passage (anus) or private parts (genitals) -unless your doctor has told you to do so.

If any of the above apply to you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment if

• you are applying the ointment under an airtight dressing, including a child's nappy. These dressings make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin. It is possible to accidentally end up using too much.
• you have psoriasis, your doctor will want to see you more often.

If there is a worsening of your condition during use consult your prescriber – you may be experiencing an allergic reaction, have an infection or your condition requires a different treatment.

If you experience a recurrence of your condition shortly after stopping treatment, within 2 weeks, do not restart using the ointment without consulting your prescriber unless your prescriber has previously advised you to do so.

If your condition has resolved and on recurrence the redness extends beyond the initial treatment area and you experience a burning sensation, please seek medical advice before restarting treatment.

Staining of your hair, skin and clothes can occur. You can protect clothes by covering the treated area with a cotton bandage or piece of clean cloth.

Do not smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

Other medicines and Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal products.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment is unlikely to affect your ability to operate machinery or to drive.

3. how to use betamethasone/clioquinol ointment

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Using this medicine

• You usually apply the ointment 2 or 3 times a day. This may be reduced as your skin begins to get better.
• This ointment is for use on your skin only.
• Do not use more than the amount prescribed for you.
• Do not use on large areas of the body for a long time (such as every day for many weeks or months) – unless your doctor tells you to.
• The germs that cause infections like warm, moist conditions under bandages or dressings so always clean the skin before a fresh dressing is put on.
• If you are applying the ointment on someone else make sure you wash your hands after use or wear disposable plastic gloves.

• If your skin problem does not improve after 7 days talk to your doctor.

• Do not mix with any other creams or ointments.

• 1. Wash your hands.

• 2. Gently rub the correct amount of ointment into the skin until it has all disappeared. You can measure how much ointment to use with your fingertip. This picture shows one fingertip unit.

• 3. Unless you are meant to apply the ointment to your hands as a part of the treatment, wash them again after using the ointment.

For an adult

You should find that:

• two fingertips of ointment will cover both hands or one foot
• three fingertips of ointment will cover one arm
• six fingertips of ointment will cover one leg
• fourteen fingertips of ointment will cover the front and back of the body.

Do not worry if you find you need a little more or a little less than this. It is only a rough guide.

For a child

• Do not use it on children under 1 year of age.
• The smaller the child the less you will need to use.
• A child of 4 years needs about a third of the adult amount.
• A course of treatment for a child should not normally last more than

• 5 days, unless your doctor has told you to use it for longer.

If you apply Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment to your face

You should only apply the ointment to your face if your doctor tells you to. It should not be used for more than 5 days, as the skin on your face thins easily. Do not let the ointment get into your eyes.

If you use more Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment than you should

If, by mistake on a few occasions you use more than you should, do not worry. If you apply a lot or if a lot is accidentally swallowed, it could make you ill. Talk to your doctor or go to the hospital as soon as possible.

If you forget to use Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment

If you forget to use the ointment, use it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as usual.

Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop using Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment

If you use this medicine regularly make sure you talk to your doctor before you stop using it.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

STOP using this medicine and tell your doctor as soon as possible if:

• you find that your condition gets worse or becomes swollen during treatment. You may be allergic to the ointment or need other treatment.

Other side effects you may notice when using Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment include:

• a feeling of burning, irritation or itching where the ointment is applied.
• if you have psoriasis you may get raised bumps with pus under the skin. This can happen during or after the treatment and is known as pustular psoriasis.

Side effects if you use Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment for a long time, or you use a lot each time you apply it, or you apply it under an airtight dressing or a nappy:

• stretch marks may develop
• veins under the surface of your skin may become more noticeable
• increased hair growth and changes in skin colour
• thinning of your skin that may also damage more easily
• weight gain, rounding of the face and high blood pressure. These are more likely to happen in infants and children.

Steroid withdrawal reaction: If used continuously for prolonged periods a withdrawal reaction may occur on stopping treatment with some or all of the following features: redness of the skin which can extend beyond the initial area treated, a burning or stinging sensation, intense itching, peeling of the skin, oozing open sores.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. how to store betamethasone/clioquinol ointment

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not store above 30oC.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the tube label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• If your ointment becomes discoloured or shows any sign of deterioration, return it to your pharmacist.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. contents of the pack and other information

What Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment contains

Each gram of ointment contains 1mg (0.1% w/w) betamethasone (as valerate) and 30mg (3% w/w) clioquinol.

Also contains white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin.

What Betamethasone/Clioquinol Ointment looks like and contents of the pack

Within each carton is a tube with a plastic screw cap, which contains 15g of smooth, yellow ointment.

Betamethasone/Cli­oquinol Ointment is available in packs containing 2 tubes.

Manufactured by

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals S.A., Grunwaldzka Street 189, 60–322 Poznan, Poland.

Glaxo Wellcome Operations, Harmire Road, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8DT, UK.

Procured from within the EU by the Product Licence Holder:

MPT Pharma Ltd., Westgate Business Park, Unit 5–7 Tintagel Way, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8ER.

Repackaged by MPT Pharma Ltd.

PL: 33532/1387

Leaflet dated 18th November 2021 POM

Leaflet coded xxxxxxxx

To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call 01922 745645 and ask for the Regulatory Department.