In the article, we consider the instructions for use, price and reviews about Betaderm ointment.
The drug is a combined external antibacterial medication with a pronounced antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and vasoconstrictive effect.
Composition and form of release
Dosage forms of a medicinal product are cream and ointment.
The composition of the Betaderm ointment contains the following active elements: gentamicin (in the form of gentamicin sulfate), betamethasone (in the form of betamethasone dipropionate). As additional substances in the manufacture of ointments are used:
- liquid paraffin;
- lanolin alcohol;
- butylhydroxytoluene;
- butylhydroxyanisole;
- petroleum jelly;
- cetostearyl alcohol.
Indications for the prescription of the drug
As the instructions for Betaderm ointment indicate, the medication is prescribed for the following inflammatory conditions of the skin (dermatosis) of a weeping nature, complicated by a bacterial infection and accompanied by hyperkeratosis and itching:
- lupus erythematosus (manifestations on the skin);
- psoriasis;
- simple chronic lichen;
- atopic dermatitis;
- seborrheic dermatitis;
- polymorphic erythema;
- eczema;
- allergic contact dermatitis.
Below are the symptoms of lupus erythematosus. What is this disease?
The named pathology is an autoimmune disease that affects the connective tissue and capillaries and has a systemic effect on the body. The pathological process can start at any age, there are frequent cases of the development of the disease in children (one fifth of all cases), most often after 8 years, but most often the disease is observed in women 15-40 years old. In children, the disease is more severe and acute than in adults.
At the moment, researchers are inclined to the viral origin of the disease, because in the tissues of patients with microscopic examination some categories of viruses are noticed, and a large number of antibodies to them are present in the blood. However, not all people with a chronic viral infection get sick, but only those who have a genetic predisposition.
Many do not even know what kind of disease.
Symptoms of lupus erythematosus are diverse, due to the defeat of almost all tissues and organs. In some cases, the signs of manifestation are limited only by skin symptoms, and then the pathology is called discoid lupus erythematosus, however, in most cases, multiple organ damage is observed. The most common symptoms of the disease are damage to the mucous membranes and skin, muscle and joint system and serous membranes.
Atopic dermatitis can be one of the manifestations of this disease, although in many cases it can be an independent pathology. This is a genetically caused inflammatory allergic disease of the skin of a chronic relapsing course, which is characterized by primarily developing itching, lichenification and papular rashes. Skin manifestations are barren elements of various diameters, towering above the skin. Lichenification involves thickening of the skin and its hyperpigmentation.
The number of indications of Betaderm ointment just includes these pathologies.
Pharmacological action of ointment
Medicinal ointment is a combined remedy for external use. It contains the substance betamethasone - a synthetic glucocorticosteroid, which has a clear anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive effect. The tool reduces the intensity of the inflammatory processes of the skin by inhibiting the production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins due to inhibition of the functionality of phospholipase A2 and inhibition of the release of arachidonic acid from cell membrane phospholipids.
According to the instructions, Betaderm ointment also has an anti-allergic effect. As a result of the local vasoconstrictor effect, exudative reactions are reduced. The drug accelerates the biotransformation of protein in the structures of the skin and inhibits proliferative processes.
In addition, the composition of the medication contains salicylic acid - NSAIDs. It exhibits a moderate keratolytic effect, promotes better penetration of betamethasone into the skin.
What else does the instruction for Betaderm ointment tell us?
Pharmacokinetic properties
Due to the keratolytic effect of salicylic acid, betamethasone quickly penetrates into the stratum corneum of the epidermis, where it accumulates.
In a small amount, it can penetrate into the general bloodstream with external use and have a systemic effect.
Betamethasone is practically not metabolized in the skin. After insignificant absorption in the body, this substance is metabolized mainly in the liver. It is excreted through the kidneys and, to a lesser extent, with bile in the form of compounds with glucuronic acid, in a small amount it can leave the body unchanged.
Contraindications
In accordance with the instructions for Betaderm ointment, the following pathological conditions are included in the list of contraindications for the use of a pharmacological preparation:
- lupus;
- the vaccination period and post-vaccination reactions on the skin;
- viral and fungal skin infections;
- manifestations of syphilis on the skin;
- pink and teen acne;
- phlebitis and trophic ulcers;
- age less than 2 years;
- lactation and pregnancy;
- hypersensitivity to elements from the composition of the drug.
In elderly patients with atrophy of the subcutaneous tissue, the drug should be used with caution. Contraindications Betaderm ointments should be taken into account when prescribed.
Dosage and route of administration
The medicine is recommended to be applied externally, by applying a small amount to the affected areas of the skin. Frequency of use - 1-2 times a day. A weekly dosage of Betaderm ointment with continuous use is up to 45 g. The duration of the course of therapy is determined by the tolerance and effectiveness of the treatment. On average, therapy lasts 2–4 weeks.
In children 2-12 years old, the medication should be applied with a light layer to small areas of the skin 1-2 times a day for 1 week (no more).
Side effects from the use of a drug
In some cases, during the treatment with ointment for atopic dermatitis, the development of the following pathological phenomena can be observed:
- itchy skin;
- burning sensation;
- erythema;
- exudation;
- violation of pigmentation processes;
- inhibition of epidermal growth;
- acne;
- dry skin
- atrophy of the subcutaneous tissue;
- steroidal purpura;
- atrophy of the skin and stria;
- folliculitis;
- hyper- or depigmentation of the skin;
- telangiectasia;
- urticaria or maculopapular eruptions.
During the implementation of a long therapeutic course or in the case of the application of Betaderm cream on large areas of the skin, the development of disorders characteristic of glucocorticosteroids may be observed, in particular:
- ulceration of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract;
- osteoporosis;
- hyperkalemia
- inhibition of the functionality of the adrenal cortex;
- weight gain;
- swelling;
- increase in blood pressure;
- menstrual irregularities;
- exacerbation of hidden infectious foci;
- insomnia, excessive nervous agitation.
In addition, after applying the medication to the skin of the face, perioral dermatitis may develop, on the skin of the eyelids - cataracts, or the symptoms of glaucoma increase.
Since gentamicin is present in the composition of the ointment for atopic dermatitis , when applying the ointment to the mucous membranes or large areas of the skin damaged by the pathological process, it is necessary to take into account the risk of signs of ototoxicity. In childhood, in addition to adverse reactions that are characteristic of adults, the development of such disorders can be noted:
- decreased functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system;
- delayed physical development;
- Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome;
- increased intracranial pressure;
- lag in weight gain.
Special recommendations for the use of the drug
Long-term use of a medication for the treatment of dermatoses is recommended to be avoided, since in such a case the likelihood of developing side effects increases, and the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to gentamicin may also develop. In addition, the drug should not be allowed to enter the periorbital zone and into the eyes. Certain parts of the body (axillary zones, perianal region, inguinal folds) are more prone to the occurrence of striae.
In this regard, the duration of therapeutic measures using this ointment in these areas is recommended to be limited. Do not apply the medication, even briefly, to the skin of the face, as this can lead to the development of telangiectasia. Under an occlusive dressing it is impossible to use a medicine. If there is a special need for this, you should use dressings that let air through (do not apply oilcloth and sealing dressings). With prolonged use on significant surfaces of the skin with impaired integrity, there is a potential likelihood of absorption of gentamicin in the systemic circulation, respectively, the occurrence of symptoms of ototoxicity.
In case the patient suffers from fungal superinfection, additional therapy with medical agents with antifungal effects is necessary. In childhood, this medication can be used only from 2 years old in accordance with strict indications and under medical supervision. This is due to the fact that with the external use of Betaderm ointment, absorption of a proportionally larger volume of active elements is possible, therefore, there is a greater likelihood of systemic side symptoms. Therefore, for children, the drug is prescribed in the maximum course in compliance with the precautionary rules.
When performing combination therapy, the Betaderm drug can weaken the effect of immunostimulating drugs and enhance the effect of immunosuppressive drugs.
Cost of medication
The price of the drug "Betaderm" in pharmacies ranges from 195 - 215 rubles per tube of ointment. It depends on the region.
Analogues of ointment "Betaderm"
Analogues include the following medications:
- "Celestoderm-B" is a Belgian topical medicine that has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. The composition of the medication has two active elements: betamethasone and gentamicin. These substances reduce vascular permeability, induce the formation of lipocortins, have decongestant activity, reduce the metabolism of arachidonic acid, and inhibit the release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators. This medication can be prescribed from 6 months of age.
- "Akriderm" is a glucocorticosteroid ointment of Russian production, applied externally. The medicine has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antiproliferative, antiallergic, antiexudative and vasoconstrictive effects. The medication is able to inhibit the accumulation of leukocytes, slow down the release of anti-inflammatory substances and lysosomal enzymes in the foci of the inflammatory process, suppress phagocytosis, reduce vascular tissue permeability, and prevent the formation of inflammatory swelling. It is applied from the age of 1 year.
- "Belogent" is a medication of Croatian production, which has antibacterial, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects for external use. The composition contains betamethasone and gentamicin. It can be used in children from 1 year.
Drug Reviews
There are a large number of reviews about the Betaderm medical device, but many of them are also negative. The bulk of the patients who used it say that this medicine is prescribed for lupus erythematosus, allergic skin lesions, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. Almost all patients note the high effectiveness of this drug, its relatively low cost. A tube of ointment, according to patients, is enough for about one month of use. A positive result, judging by the reviews, comes very quickly. In this case, skin lesions in the form of redness begin to turn pale, even out, the skin acquires integrity and a healthy appearance.
Due to the content of the antibacterial component in the ointment, severe lesions are disinfected. Despite the high effectiveness of such a medicine, according to the people who used it, it is quickly addictive. According to many patients, after prolonged use, the skin ceases to regenerate and heal on its own, which requires constant application of the ointment. In addition, side effects such as skin soreness, severe burning often occur (especially often in children).
We examined the instructions for use, price, reviews about Betaderm ointment.