Betacap Betamethasone 1% w/w scalp application

Do not use Betacap Scalp Application:

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to betamethasone or any of the other ingredients of Betacap Scalp Application listed in Section 6;
• to treat any other skin problems, especially skin infections, as it may make them worse;
• to treat any scalp problem other than the one your doctor prescribed it for;
• on children under one year of age.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Betacap Scalp Application.

• Tell your doctor if at any stage you think your scalp has become infected. Your doctor may advise you to stop using Betacap for a while and start using an alternative anti-microbial treatment instead.
• If you are treating scalp psoriasis, it is important that your doctor checks your progress regularly to avoid a possible complication that can occur (see Section 4).
• Do not use this product excessively:
  • avoid using this product continuously or frequently for long periods (weeks or months on end);
  • this is especially important for infants and young children, because long term use increases the chance of local and generalised side effects (see Section 4);
  • for children with scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis, treatment should normally be limited to no more than 7 days.
• Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

Take special care when using this product:

• Keep the product away from your eyes and mouth.
• Betacap is highly flammable. Do not use it near flames or ignition sources (e.g. burning cigarettes or anything else that might ignite it).
• If there is a worsening of your condition during use consult your prescriber - you may be experiencing an allergic reaction, have an infection or your condition may require a different treatment. If you experience a recurrence of your condition shortly after stopping treatment, within 2 weeks, do not restart using Betacap Scalp Application without consulting your prescriber unless your prescriber has previously advised you to do so. If your condition has resolved and on recurrence the redness extends beyond the initial treatment area and you experience a burning sensation, please seek medical advice before restarting treatment.

Repeat the following twice a day, morning and evening, until you notice an improvement in your scalp condition. On days when you shampoo your hair, apply Betacap Scalp Application after drying the hair:

• Carefully turn the bottle upside-down over your head, holding the nozzle against the part of the scalp to be treated.
• Gently squeeze the bottle until the affected area is coated with a thin layer of the preparation.
• Gently massage the application into the scalp to prevent it from running off.
• Allow the treated scalp to dry naturally. Do not use a hair drier.
• Your scalp will feel cool until the liquid has dried. The active ingredient is then left on your scalp.
• Always wash your hands after use.

When you can see that your scalp condition is getting better, you can start to apply Betacap Scalp Application less often, only once a day or even less. The frequency of application should be reduced to the minimum necessary to keep your scalp condition under control.

For children (over one year old):

• Follow the same instructions as for adults (see above), but use the product more sparingly.
• Never apply more than is needed to cover the affected area.
• Do not cover the treated scalp with an airtight dressing.
• When treating seborrhoeic dermatitis in children, do not use the product for longer than 7 days.

The active ingredient is betamethasone (as betamethasone valerate) 0.1% w/w.

The other ingredients are macrogol 7 glycerol cocoate, isopropyl alcohol, carbomer, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

Like all medicines, Betacap Scalp Application can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Betacap Scalp Application may cause the following side effects of unknown frequency (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

• Skin irritation may occur. If this happens stop using the product.
• Treating psoriasis with this type of product may cause the development of the pustular form of the disease (blisters filled with pus). This explains why careful supervision by your doctor is required if you are treating scalp psoriasis.
• Topical corticosteroids are usually well tolerated when used in the right amount and for the correct length of time. However, prolonged, excessive use, particularly in children or on skin that is bandaged or wrapped up, can cause local skin thinning (making the skin damage easily), and adrenal suppression (a type of hormone imbalance that causes generalised effects on the body). Stopping treatment normally corrects these side effects.
• Steroid withdrawal reaction: If used continuously for prolonged periods a withdrawal reaction may occur on stopping treatment with some or all of the following features: redness of the skin which can extend beyond the initial area treated, a burning or stinging sensation, intense itching, peeling of the skin, oozing open sores.
• Blurred vision.

If you are in any doubt about the treatment, or experience any of the above side effects or any other side effect not mentioned in this leaflet, stop using this product and tell your doctor or pharmacist.