Celestoderm V/2

Cream or ointment: Apply enough cream or ointment to completely cover the affected area with a thin film. Massage it gently and thoroughly into the skin. Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) is usually applied once daily in the morning, or twice daily (in the morning and at night) as directed by the doctor. The treatment should be stopped when the condition is cleared. The medication should not be continued for a period longer than 4 weeks without further consultation with your doctor.

Lotion: Apply a few drops of lotion or enough to thinly cover the affected area. The lotion should be gently massaged into the area until it disappears. The lotion is usually applied once or twice.

Wash your hands after applying Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) unless you are treating your hands.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

Shake the lotion well before applying it to the affected area.

Do not cover the area with an occlusive dressing (a dressing that doesn't breathe) unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Avoid applying the medication in or near the eyes.

It is important to use Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss an application, apply it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next application, skip the missed application and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Celestoderm V

Cream
Each gram of cream contains betamethasone valerate, USP, equivalent to betamethasone USP 1 mg (0.1%) in a water-miscible base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, chlorocresol, mineral oil, monobasic sodium phosphate, phosphoric acid, polyethylene glycol 1000 monocetyl ether, purified water, sodium hydroxide, and white petrolatum.

Ointment
Each gram of ointment contains betamethasone valerate, USP, equivalent to betamethasone USP 1 mg (0.1%) in white petrolatum. Nonmedicinal ingredient: white petrolatum.

Celestoderm V/2

Cream
Each gram of cream contains betamethasone valerate, USP, equivalent to betamethasone USP 0.5 mg (0.05%) in a water-miscible base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, chlorocresol, mineral oil, monobasic sodium phosphate, phosphoric acid, polyethylene glycol 1000 monocetyl ether, purified water, sodium hydroxide and white petrolatum.

Ointment
Each gram of ointment contains betamethasone valerate, USP, equivalent to betamethasone USP 0.5 mg (0.05%) in white petrolatum. Nonmedicinal ingredient: white petrolatum.

Do not use Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) if you:

• are allergic to betamethasone or any ingredients of the medication
• have a skin infection caused by viruses, including herpes simplex, vaccinia, and varicella (Chickenpox)
• have had an allergic reaction to other corticosteroid medications
• have untreated infected skin lesions caused by an infection with fungi or bacteria
• have Tuberculosis of the skin

Do not apply Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) around the mouth, to the eye, or on or around the anal and genital area.

There may be an interaction between betamethasone and any of the following:

• itraconazole
• medications applied to the skin that have irritating effects
• other topical medications that contain corticosteroids
• Natalizumab
• Pimecrolimus
• ritonavir
• Tacrolimus

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate).

Absorption: Topical (applied to the skin) corticosteroids such as betamethasone are known to be absorbed into the bloodstream, especially if used for prolonged periods of time on large areas of the body. It is advisable to use betamethasone for brief periods of time only and to stop using it as soon as the problem clears.

Eyes: Use Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) with caution on lesions close to the eye. Take care to ensure that it does not enter the eye, as Glaucoma or Cataracts may result. Report any changes in your vision to your doctor, as soon as possible.

Infections: Betamethasone should not be used on any infected area until the infection has cleared. Corticosteroids applied to the skin may increase the risk of developing a skin infection. If you notice any increased redness, swelling, heat, or pain around the area where the medication is applied, contact your doctor, as these are possible signs of infection.

Stopping Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate): Suddenly stopping corticosteroid medication may cause your skin condition to return. If you have been using Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) for a long period of time, discuss with your doctor the best way to discontinue the medication.

Thinning of skin: Using topical corticosteroid medication for a long period of time can cause skin and the tissues underneath to thin or soften, or cause stretch marks. Your doctor may recommend you stop using Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) once in a while or to apply to one area of the body at a time to give the skin a chance to strengthen. If you notice changes to the texture or colour of your skin contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy: Betamethasone should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while using Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if betamethasone applied to the skin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. If Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) is used, it should not be applied to the breast in order to avoid the baby getting Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) in their mouth.

Children: Betamethasone belongs to the family of medications known as corticosteroids. Children may be more likely to experience side effects (e.g., slowing down of growth, delayed weight gain), especially if large amounts of Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) are used for long periods of time. The use of Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) by children should be limited to the smallest amount that will be effective for the shortest period of time. Discuss the risks and benefits of the use of Celestoderm V/2 (Betamethasone-valerate) by children with your doctor.