Betamethasone Topical Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Apr 16, 2025.

Applies to betamethasone topical: topical application cream, topical application lotion, topical application ointment, topical application spray.

Other dosage forms:

• topical application cream, topical application foam, topical application lotion, topical application ointment

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits for any unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

If your symptoms do not improve within 2 to 4 weeks, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The risk is greater for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision, dizziness or fainting, a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, increased thirst or urination, irritability, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Check with your doctor right away if you have a skin rash, blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, flaking of the skin, itching, scaling, severe redness, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.

Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated areas.

Tell your doctor if you are using other medications, including prescription or over-the-counter medications, especially if you take corticosteroid medications by mouth or use other corticosteroid-containing products on your skin. .

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, betamethasone topical may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking betamethasone topical:

Other side effects

Some side effects of betamethasone topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to betamethasone topical: topical cream, topical foam, topical gel, topical lotion, topical ointment, topical spray.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were pruritus, burning, itching, irritation.

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Cushing's syndrome^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Folliculitis, skin infections (including bacterial, fungal and viral skin infections)
• Frequency not reported: Dryness, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infections, skin atrophy, striae, miliaria^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Application site pain
• Frequency not reported: Burning, itching, irritation^[Ref]

Ocular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Eye disorder
• Postmarketing reports: cataracts, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, central serous chorioretinopathy^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Glucosuria

Other

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rebound effect

See also:

Further information

Betamethasone topical side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer