Health Centres - Betnesol Drops
How does it work?
Betamethasone belongs to a group of medicines known as corticosteroids. These act inside the cells to decrease the release of certain chemicals that are important in the immune system. By decreasing the release of these chemicals in a particular area, inflammation and mucus production are reduced.
What is it used for?
-
Inflammation and infection of the outer part of the ear canal
- Nasal inflammation (non-allergic rhinitis)
- Red, swollen and painful eyes
Warning!
- You should not wear soft contact lenses while you are using this medicine. This it because the medicine contains a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation.
- Children who are receiving long-term treatment with this nasal spray should have their height regularly monitored by the doctor.
- Consult your doctor if after seven days of treatment with this medicine there is little or no improvement in your symptoms.
- This medicine may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied it into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.
- Prolonged use of topical corticosteroids (including eye/ear/nose preparations) or application to large areas of skin, can result in sufficient absorption of the corticosteroid into the bloodstream to prevent the normal production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands (adrenal suppression). This is more likely to occur in infants and children. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for further information.
- Intensive or prolonged application of corticosteroids to the eye may lead to an increase in the pressure inside the eye, glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve or the formation of cataracts.
Use with caution in
- Avoid prolonged use of the eye or ear drops
Not to be used in
- Herpes simplex virus infection of the eye
- Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient
- Perforated ear drum
- Red eye due to unknown causes
- This medication should be avoided after nasal surgery
- Tuberculosis
- Viral, bacterial or fungal infections in the treatment area
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Spreading and worsening of infection
- Increased pressure inside the eye (glaucoma)
- Visual disturbances
- Narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
- Smell and taste disturbances
- Irritation of the tissues in the nose
- Dryness of the nose and throat
- Local sensitivity reactions
- Tear of the eye covering due to the presence of another eye disease (eye preparations only)
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
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