Betnovate Cream Uses: What It Treats, How Strong It Is and Side Effects
What Betnovate (betamethasone valerate 0.1%) is used for, how it works, cream vs ointment vs scalp lotion, how to use it safely, and how it compares with Dermovate.
Part of our eczema and dermatitis guide.
Get urgent help first. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have swelling of the lips, face or tongue or difficulty breathing. Contact NHS 111 or your GP the same day if eczema suddenly gets much worse with clusters of painful blisters or punched-out sores and a fever (possible eczema herpeticum), or the skin becomes hot, swollen, weeping or crusted and you feel unwell. Online treatment isn’t suitable in these situations.
The short answer: Betnovate contains betamethasone valerate 0.1%, a potent steroid. It’s used for eczema and dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus, insect bite reactions and other inflamed skin that milder steroids haven’t settled. It comes as a cream, an ointment and a scalp application (often called Betnovate scalp lotion). It isn’t for the face, and it doesn’t treat infections, acne or rosacea.
Adults only online, and not in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Access Doctor’s online eczema service is for adults aged 18 and over, and can’t supply treatment if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding: your GP or midwife can help. Children with eczema should see their GP or a pharmacist.
What is Betnovate (betamethasone valerate)?
Betnovate is the brand name for betamethasone valerate, a corticosteroid that calms inflamed skin. At 0.1% (standard Betnovate) it’s a potent steroid, the third of the four UK strengths.
| Strength | Examples |
|---|---|
| Mild | Hydrocortisone 0.5% to 2.5% |
| Moderate | Eumovate (clobetasone 0.05%) |
| Potent | Betnovate (betamethasone valerate 0.1%); Elocon (mometasone 0.1%); Cutivate (fluticasone) |
| Very potent | Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) |
Generic betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream contains the same medicine at the same strength as Betnovate cream. For the full strength ladder, see our steroid cream strengths guide.
How Betnovate works
Betamethasone valerate passes into the skin and switches off the signals that drive inflammation. In practice that means:
- Less inflammation: it reduces the immune chemicals that make eczema red, swollen and sore.
- Less redness: it narrows small blood vessels in the skin.
- Less itch: as the inflammation settles, the itch-scratch cycle eases.
- Slower skin turnover: which helps the thick, scaly plaques of psoriasis.
Most people notice an improvement within a few days. For how the very potent steroid compares, see how Dermovate works.
What is Betnovate used for?
Betnovate’s product licence covers inflamed skin conditions that respond to steroids, including:
- Eczema, including atopic and discoid eczema, when milder steroids haven’t controlled it
- Contact dermatitis (irritant or allergic), once the trigger has been identified and avoided
- Psoriasis, except widespread plaque psoriasis
- Lichen planus and lichen simplex (thickened, itchy skin from scratching)
- Prurigo nodularis (very itchy lumps)
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis, including on the scalp (using the scalp application)
- Discoid lupus
- Insect bite reactions
Betnovate isn’t for: acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, itching around the anus or genitals, or skin infections that aren’t being treated, whether bacterial, viral (such as cold sores or chickenpox) or fungal (such as ringworm or athlete’s foot). A steroid on an untreated fungal infection can make it spread. It shouldn’t be used on babies under 1 year.
If your eczema looks infected (weeping, golden crusts, or you feel unwell), Betnovate alone isn’t the answer. See signs of infected eczema, and our guide to steroid and antibiotic creams such as Fucibet, which combines Betnovate’s steroid with an antibiotic.
Betnovate cream, ointment and scalp application (lotion)
All Betnovate products contain betamethasone at the same strength. The difference is the base, which decides where each one works best.
| Product | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Betnovate cream | Moist or weepy eczema; most body areas | Rubs in easily and isn’t greasy |
| Betnovate ointment | Dry, scaly or thickened skin | Greasier; seals in moisture and helps the steroid soak into thick skin |
| Betnovate scalp application (often called scalp lotion or solution) | Scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis | A liquid with a nozzle for the scalp; see how to use Betnovate scalp application |
How to use Betnovate
1
Apply a thin layer once or twice a day
Spread it gently over the affected skin only. Once the skin starts to improve, it’s often enough to apply it once a day, or less often.
2
Use the right amount
One fingertip unit (a line squeezed from fingertip to first crease, about 0.5g) covers an area the size of two adult hands.
3
Keep your emollient going
Leave a gap of around 30 minutes between your moisturiser and Betnovate, and keep moisturising every day, even when the skin looks clear.
4
Review if it isn’t working
The product information says to get the diagnosis and treatment reviewed if the skin hasn’t improved within 2 to 4 weeks, or sooner if it gets worse.
Side effects and safety
Used as directed, Betnovate is safe and effective. Most side effects come from using it on the wrong area or for too long.
- Not on the face, and only on skin folds or the genitals if a specialist advises it. These areas absorb steroids far more readily.
- Use the shortest course that works, then stop or step down to a milder steroid.
- Thinning skin, stretch marks and thread veins can happen with long or heavy use, especially on thin skin.
- A burning or stinging feeling when first applied is common and usually settles.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: a potent steroid is only used if the benefit outweighs the risk, so your GP or midwife should decide. Our online service can’t supply Betnovate if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding, don’t apply it to the breasts.
Topical steroid withdrawal. The MHRA warns that, rarely, stopping a moderate or stronger steroid after long-term daily use can cause burning and spreading redness that looks different from your usual eczema. If your skin gets worse within 2 weeks of stopping, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before restarting it.
How our online service supplies Betnovate: adults 18 and over only, not for use on the face, and up to 3 × 30g tubes or 1 × 100g per order.
Betnovate vs Dermovate: what’s the difference?
| Betnovate (betamethasone valerate 0.1%) | Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%) | |
|---|---|---|
| UK strength | Potent | Very potent (the strongest) |
| Usually used | For moderate to severe eczema that milder steroids haven’t controlled | For severe or stubborn eczema that a potent steroid hasn’t controlled |
| How long | The shortest course that works; review if no better in 2 to 4 weeks | Short courses; no more than 4 weeks without review |
| Limit | As prescribed | No more than 50g a week |
| Face | No | No |
If a properly used course of Betnovate hasn’t controlled your eczema, a prescriber may consider a short course of Dermovate, a different potent steroid, or a referral to a dermatologist. Our online service only supplies Dermovate to people who’ve been prescribed it before or have a confirmed diagnosis.
Need a steroid cream for eczema?
Our GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers can assess your eczema online and, if suitable, prescribe the right strength for the area. Adults 18 and over. Dispensed from our UK pharmacy. Approved before 3pm, Monday to Friday? Dispatched the same day, by Royal Mail Tracked 48, Tracked 24 or Special Delivery guaranteed by 1pm next working day: you choose.
Start Eczema Consultation →UK safety and reporting side effects
Betnovate is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. Before it’s prescribed, a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews your consultation, including where the eczema is and what you’ve used before. Always read the patient information leaflet, ask before using it on a new part of the body, and never share a prescribed steroid cream.
If you think you’ve had a side effect from a medicine, including a reaction after stopping a steroid, tell your pharmacist or doctor. You can also report it to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme, which helps keep medicines safe for everyone.
A pharmacist can advise on mild eczema and sell hydrocortisone 1% cream and emollients without a prescription. Our private online service is for adults aged 18 and over.
Eczema treatments from Access Doctor
Following an online consultation, our prescribers can supply Betnovate cream, Betnovate ointment and generic betamethasone cream, as well as milder and stronger steroids, matched to the area and severity of your eczema.
Potent · Rx
Betnovate Cream
For moist or weepy eczema on the body, arms and legs.
View product →Potent · Rx
Betnovate Ointment
For dry, scaly or thickened skin.
View product →Potent · Rx
Betamethasone Cream 0.1%
The generic version of Betnovate cream, with the same medicine and strength.
View product →Moderate · Rx
Eumovate Ointment
A step down from Betnovate once the flare settles.
View product →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Betnovate used for?
Betnovate contains betamethasone valerate 0.1%, a potent steroid. It’s licensed for inflamed skin conditions including atopic and discoid eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis (except widespread plaque psoriasis), lichen planus, seborrhoeic dermatitis and insect bite reactions. It’s usually used when a milder steroid hasn’t worked.
How strong is Betnovate?
Betnovate is a potent steroid, the third of the four UK strengths, and one step below Dermovate (very potent). It’s stronger than hydrocortisone (mild) and Eumovate (moderate), and about as strong as Elocon (mometasone), which is also potent.
Can Betnovate be used on the face?
Not unless a specialist advises it. Facial skin is thin and more prone to side effects such as thinning, thread veins and perioral dermatitis. Facial eczema is usually treated with a mild steroid such as hydrocortisone. Our online service doesn’t supply Betnovate for the face.
What is the difference between Betnovate cream, ointment, and lotion?
They contain the same medicine at the same strength. The cream suits moist or weepy skin and the ointment suits dry, scaly or thickened skin. What most people call Betnovate lotion is Betnovate scalp application (also called scalp lotion or solution), a thin liquid for the scalp that reaches the skin through the hair.
When should I use Dermovate instead of Betnovate?
Betnovate is usually tried first for moderate to severe eczema on the body. If a properly used course doesn’t control the flare, especially on thick, scratched skin, a prescriber may consider a short course of Dermovate, which is very potent. Dermovate shouldn’t be used for more than 4 weeks without a review.
How long can I use Betnovate for?
Use it for the shortest time that controls the flare, then stop or step down to a milder steroid. The product information says to get it reviewed if your skin hasn’t improved within 2 to 4 weeks. Don’t use it on the face, and only use it on skin folds or the genitals if a specialist advises it.
Is Betnovate good for insect bites?
Yes. Insect bite reactions are one of Betnovate’s licensed uses, and a potent steroid can calm a large, very itchy bite reaction. For an ordinary bite, a pharmacy hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine is usually enough. Get medical help if a bite becomes hot, spreading or painful, or you feel unwell, as it may be infected.
Is Betnovate the same as betamethasone?
Betnovate is a brand of betamethasone valerate. Generic betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream contains the same medicine at the same strength. Some other products contain a different form, betamethasone dipropionate, which is also potent but isn’t the same as Betnovate.
Can I buy Betnovate over the counter?
No. Betnovate is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. You can get it after a consultation with a GP or an online prescriber. The mildest steroid, hydrocortisone 1% cream, can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription.
References
- Betnovate cream and ointment: summary of product characteristics. medicines.org.uk
- Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary: topical corticosteroids; betamethasone. bnf.nice.org.uk
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Eczema – atopic. cks.nice.org.uk
- NHS. Betamethasone for skin. nhs.uk
- MHRA. Topical corticosteroids: information on the risk of topical steroid withdrawal reactions. Drug Safety Update, September 2021. gov.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and isn’t medical advice. Betnovate is a prescription-only potent steroid and needs a clinical consultation before it can be supplied. Don’t use it on the face, and only use it on skin folds or the genitals if a specialist advises it. In a medical emergency, call 999.