Betamethasone Clotrimazole

Betamethasone Clotrimazole is a combination cream with two jobs. Clotrimazole (1%) kills the yeasts and dermatophyte fungi behind athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm of the body and skin candidiasis. Betamethasone dipropionate, a potent corticosteroid, settles the redness, swelling and itching that make these infections so uncomfortable. The combination is meant for a short course on fungal infections that are clearly inflamed, not for everyday rashes or for long-term use.

The cream comes in 10g tubes, available as packs of 2, 4, 6 or 12 tubes. The UK-licensed product is packed in 30g tubes, so the tube size you receive differs from UK packs.

The Betamethasone Clotrimazole tubes listed here are an imported generic, and the photograph shows the manufacturer’s own brand pack. In the UK, the same pairing of betamethasone dipropionate and clotrimazole is licensed as Lotriderm cream, a prescription-only medicine (POM). The imported version itself does not hold a UK licence. Milder hydrocortisone-plus-antifungal creams contain a much weaker steroid and are not interchangeable with this one.

For adults, the UK patient leaflet describes a thin layer rubbed gently into the affected skin and a small surrounding margin twice a day, morning and evening. Treatment is short: around two weeks for infections of the groin or body and up to four weeks for athlete’s foot. If there is no improvement in that time, the diagnosis should be reviewed rather than the course extended. The cream is not for use under bandages or other airtight dressings, should be kept away from the eyes and is not recommended for children under 12. Wash your hands after applying it unless the hands are being treated.

Steroid-containing creams can make some skin problems worse. This combination should not be used on rosacea, acne, perioral dermatitis, untreated bacterial infections, viral rashes such as cold sores, chickenpox or shingles, skin tuberculosis, or nappy rash. It is also avoided on itching around the anus or genitals unless a doctor has diagnosed a fungal cause. Allergy to any ingredient rules it out. In pregnancy and breastfeeding it is only used when a prescriber judges it necessary, and never over large areas.

Mild burning, stinging, itching or dryness where the cream is applied are the effects most often noticed. With prolonged use or large areas, the steroid can thin the skin, cause stretch marks, small visible blood vessels or lighter patches, and, rarely, enough absorption to affect the adrenal glands. Blurred vision should be reported, as steroids can occasionally affect the eyes. Interactions with other medicines are unlikely with short use on small areas, but mention other steroid treatments to your GP.

Keeping the skin clean and dry, changing socks daily and not sharing towels helps stop fungal infections returning once the course ends. Whether Betamethasone Clotrimazole suits your rash, and for how long, is for your doctor or prescriber to decide.