Betametasone Valerate (Betnovate)

Betamethasone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (also called a corticosteroid), which are copies of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. It used to treat itching, swollen and irritated skin, and can help with conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis.

Chemicals are released into the skin when you have an allergic reaction or when your skin is irritated, and betamethasone works by blocking these chemicals to help to reduce the swelling, redness and itching.

Betamethasone is usually prescribed when other medicines have not worked, and it is stronger than some other skin treatments such as hydrocortisone.