(3.92)
Based on 233 studies
| Side Effect | Affected |
|---|---|
| Skin thinning (atrophy) |
Image for illustration purposes only. Actual medication may appear different.
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Highlights
- Fast relief within 2-3 weeks
- 76-94% of patients see significant improvement
- More effective against infected eczema when combined with antibiotics
- Can damage skin barrier with long-term use
- May cause skin thinning
Betamethasone is effective at reducing inflammation and symptoms of eczema, with studies showing 76-94% of patients experiencing significant improvement within 2-3 weeks of treatment.
| Study Summary | Study Type | Studied Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
|
📄
Both betamethasone and tacrolimus treatments effectively reduced eczema severity and inflammation. Betamethasone was better at reducing inflammation, while tacrolimus was better at improving skin hydration.
|
Randomized Controlled Trial |
Total Patients: 36
Severity: moderate Age: 18+
|
Both treatments effectively reduced disease severity |
Both betamethasone and tacrolimus treatments effectively reduced eczema severity and inflammation. Betamethasone was better at reducing inflammation, while tacrolimus was better at improving skin hydration.
Skin and systemic inflammation in adults with atopic dermatitis before and after whole-body topical betamethasone 17-valerate 0.1% or tacrolimus 0.1% treatment: A randomized controlled studyWhile betamethasone provides quick relief, long-term use may damage the skin barrier and cause skin thinning. It's better suited for short-term treatment of severe flares rather than long-term maintenance therapy.
| Study Summary | Study Type | Studied Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
|
📄
Both betamethasone and pimecrolimus improved skin barrier function and reduced symptoms in atopic dermatitis. While betamethasone was better at reducing symptoms, it caused skin thinning, making pimecrolimus potentially better for long-term use.
|
Randomized Controlled Trial |
Total Patients: 15
Severity: not available Age: not available
|
Betamethasone was more effective at reducing clinical symptoms |
|
📄
Betamethasone was more effective at reducing inflammation compared to pimecrolimus in atopic dermatitis skin samples. However, betamethasone may impair skin barrier repair, while pimecrolimus helps maintain it, suggesting pimecrolimus might be better for long-term treatment.
|
Clinical Trial |
Severity: not available Age: not available
|
|
|
📄
In people with controlled atopic dermatitis, betamethasone cream damaged the skin barrier after 4 weeks of use, while tacrolimus ointment improved skin barrier function. Tacrolimus was better at maintaining skin hydration and natural moisturizing factors.
|
Randomized Controlled Trial |
Total Patients: 20
|
Tacrolimus was superior to betamethasone for maintaining skin barrier health |
Both betamethasone and pimecrolimus improved skin barrier function and reduced symptoms in atopic dermatitis. While betamethasone was better at reducing symptoms, it caused skin thinning, making pimecrolimus potentially better for long-term use.
Different effects of pimecrolimus and betamethasone on the skin barrier in patients with atopic dermatitisBetamethasone was more effective at reducing inflammation compared to pimecrolimus in atopic dermatitis skin samples. However, betamethasone may impair skin barrier repair, while pimecrolimus helps maintain it, suggesting pimecrolimus might be better for long-term treatment.
Gene expression is differently affected by pimecrolimus and betamethasone in lesional skin of atopic dermatitisIn people with controlled atopic dermatitis, betamethasone cream damaged the skin barrier after 4 weeks of use, while tacrolimus ointment improved skin barrier function. Tacrolimus was better at maintaining skin hydration and natural moisturizing factors.
The effect of tacrolimus compared with betamethasone valerate on the skin barrier in volunteers with quiescent atopic dermatitisWhen combined with antibacterial agents like fusidic acid, betamethasone is more effective at treating infected eczema, eliminating 67% of bacteria compared to 51% with betamethasone alone.
| Study Summary | Study Type | Studied Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
|
📄
A new cream containing fusidic acid and betamethasone (Fucicort Lipid cream) was found to be as effective as the existing cream formulation in treating infected atopic dermatitis. Both creams reduced severity scores by about 83% and cleared bacterial infection in about 90% of patients after 2 weeks of treatment.
|
Randomized Controlled Trial |
Total Patients: 629
Severity: Not specified Age: Not specified
|
Both Fucicort formulations showed similar effectiveness, significantly better than vehicle |
A new cream containing fusidic acid and betamethasone (Fucicort Lipid cream) was found to be as effective as the existing cream formulation in treating infected atopic dermatitis. Both creams reduced severity scores by about 83% and cleared bacterial infection in about 90% of patients after 2 weeks of treatment.
An efficient new formulation of fusidic acid and betamethasone 17-valerate (fucicort lipid cream) for treatment of clinically infected atopic dermatitisAlternative treatments like tacrolimus or pimecrolimus may be better for long-term use as they improve skin barrier function without causing the skin thinning associated with betamethasone.
| Study Summary | Study Type | Studied Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
|
📄
Both tacrolimus and betamethasone improved skin barrier function during treatment. However, after stopping treatment, the benefits lasted longer with tacrolimus while the improvement from betamethasone partially wore off.
|
Randomized Controlled Trial |
Total Patients: 21
Severity: moderate Age: not available
|
Both treatments improved skin barrier function, but tacrolimus benefits lasted longer after stopping treatment |
|
📄
In people with controlled atopic dermatitis, betamethasone cream damaged the skin barrier after 4 weeks of use, while tacrolimus ointment improved skin barrier function. Tacrolimus was better at maintaining skin hydration and natural moisturizing factors.
|
Randomized Controlled Trial |
Total Patients: 20
|
Tacrolimus was superior to betamethasone for maintaining skin barrier health |
|
📄
Both betamethasone and pimecrolimus improved skin barrier function and reduced symptoms in atopic dermatitis. While betamethasone was better at reducing symptoms, it caused skin thinning, making pimecrolimus potentially better for long-term use.
|
Randomized Controlled Trial |
Total Patients: 15
Severity: not available Age: not available
|
Betamethasone was more effective at reducing clinical symptoms |
Both tacrolimus and betamethasone improved skin barrier function during treatment. However, after stopping treatment, the benefits lasted longer with tacrolimus while the improvement from betamethasone partially wore off.
Comparative effect of tacrolimus and betamethasone valerate on the passive sustainable hydration of the stratum corneum in atopic dermatitisIn people with controlled atopic dermatitis, betamethasone cream damaged the skin barrier after 4 weeks of use, while tacrolimus ointment improved skin barrier function. Tacrolimus was better at maintaining skin hydration and natural moisturizing factors.
The effect of tacrolimus compared with betamethasone valerate on the skin barrier in volunteers with quiescent atopic dermatitisBoth betamethasone and pimecrolimus improved skin barrier function and reduced symptoms in atopic dermatitis. While betamethasone was better at reducing symptoms, it caused skin thinning, making pimecrolimus potentially better for long-term use.
Different effects of pimecrolimus and betamethasone on the skin barrier in patients with atopic dermatitisIs Betamethasone Right For Me?
-
You are 13 years or older
-
You have a skin condition that responds to corticosteroids
-
You need treatment for inflammation and itching
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What are others saying?
The following comments are sourced from publicly available forums, including Reddit. They reflect personal opinions and anecdotal experiences, and do not constitute medical advice. Lemma Health does not verify the accuracy, completeness, or authorship of these statements, nor does it endorse any specific treatment, medication, or outcome mentioned. These excerpts are provided for informational purposes only.
i apply bethamethasone valerate 0.1% for 2 weeks and take a 1 week break, i have seen massive changes in my skin since.
View SourceIn under 3 days of me using Lotriderm on my body.. it was GONE! Which now has me suspecting it was a fungal infection..
View SourceI used the betnovate for 5 days twice a day as it said on the box and of course it was clearing again. 3 days later I only use the epimax to keep it moisturised but I already see signs that it's going to come back again.
View SourceWe collect reviews of treatments from various sources including social media and are not always able to verify whether these have been written by actual patients.