DIPROSONE(R)
Betamethasone dipropionate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about DIPROSONE.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using DIPROSONE against the benefits it is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What DIPROSONE is used for
DIPROSONE Lotion is also used on the scalp and hairy parts of the body.
Your doctor may have prescribed DIPROSONE for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why DIPROSONE has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor`s prescription.
Before you use DIPROSONE
When you must not use it
Do not use DIPROSONE if you have had an allergic reaction (such as wheezing, rash or hives) to DIPROSONE, any other corticosteroid or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Do not use DIPROSONE if you have:
unless your doctor tells you.
Ask your doctor to be sure you do not have any of these conditions.
Do not use DIPROSONE after the expiry date.
A use-by date is shown on the tube and carton of DIPROSONE Cream and Ointment and on the bottle of DIPROSONE Lotion.
Do not use DIPROSONE if the packaging shows signs of tampering.
Before you start to use it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to:
Tell your doctor if:
Your doctor will tell you if you can use DIPROSONE during pregnancy or while you are breast feeding.
Using other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other creams, ointments or lotions or taking any other medicines. This includes any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
How to use DIPROSONE
How to use it
Apply a thin film of DIPROSONE Cream or Ointment or a few drops of DIPROSONE Lotion to the affected skin or scalp twice daily. Massage gently until it disappears. For some patients, once daily application may be enough for maintenance therapy.
It is important to use DIPROSONE exactly as your doctor has told you. If you use it less often than you should, it may not work as well and your skin problem may not improve.
Using it more often than you should may not improve your skin problem any faster and may cause or increase side effects.
Do not use DIPROSONE just before having a bath, shower or going swimming.
If you do, you may reduce the effectiveness of DIPROSONE.
How long to use it
Do not use DIPROSONE for more than four weeks at a time unless your doctor tells you.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use DIPROSONE, use it as soon as you remember and then go back to your normal time for applying DIPROSONE. Do not try to make up for the amount you missed by using more than you would normally.
If you swallow it
Telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26 – Australia or 03 474 7000 – New Zealand) or go to the accident and emergency centre at your nearest hospital immediately if anyone swallows DIPROSONE.
Keep the telephone numbers of these places handy.
While you are using DIPROSONE
Things you must do
Tell all doctors and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using DIPROSONE.
Tell your doctor if you feel that DIPROSONE is not helping your condition or if your skin condition worsens or seems infected.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used DIPROSONE exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
Things you must not do
Do not use DIPROSONE under dressings or on large areas of skin unless your doctor tells you.
Do not use plastic pants or tight fitting nappies if DIPROSONE is to be used on the nappy area of young children.
Do not use DIPROSONE in or near the eyes.
Do not give DIPROSONE to anyone else even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use DIPROSONE to treat other conditions unless your doctor tells you.
Things to be careful of
Do not use large amounts for a long time.
Only use DIPROSONE on skin areas that rub together such as under the arm or in the groin area if your doctor tells you.
Only use DIPROSONE on the face if your doctor tells you. If improvement does not occur within one week, tell your doctor.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor if you do not feel well while you are using DIPROSONE.
DIPROSONE helps most people with skin problems but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.
DIPROSONE is generally well tolerated. However, unwanted effects that have been reported by some people using DIPROSONE include:
Mild temporary stinging may be expected when DIPROSONE Lotion is applied.
DIPROSONE may cause other side effects.
If you have any other side effects, check with your doctor.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using DIPROSONE
Storage
Keep DIPROSONE in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C. DIPROSONE Lotion should be protected from light.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep DIPROSONE where children cannot reach it. Keep the medicine away from pets.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop using DIPROSONE or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that is left over.
Product Description
What it looks like
DIPROSONE Cream is a white to off-white cream. It is packed in 15 g and 50 g tubes.
DIPROSONE Ointment is a white to off-white ointment. It is packed in 15 g and 50 g tubes.
DIPROSONE Lotion is a colourless to light yellow lotion. It is packed in 30 mL bottles.
Ingredients
DIPROSONE Cream contains:
DIPROSONE Ointment contains:
DIPROSONE Lotion contains: