Fucicort Cream 15g (Betamethasone)

Fucicort Cream 15g (Betamethasone) general information
What is Fucicort Cream used for?
Fucicort Cream is a topical skin cream used to treat several moderate to severe inflammatory dermatoses, of the skin and scalp, where there is also a bacterial infection or where a bacterial infection is likely to occur. These conditions include dermatitis, eczema, lichen planus (an inflammatory skin condition), mild psoriasis (an autoimmune disorder characterised by red raised patches of thickened skin covered in a dry silvery scaly rash), discoid lupus erythematosus (a chronic skin condition causing sores and scarring usually on the face, ears and scalp) and seborrheic dermatitis (a scaly rash that usually affects areas of the skin or scalp that are greasy or oily). Fucicort Cream helps relieve symptoms such as itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling and discomfort and also prevents the spread of susceptible bacteria, relieving symptoms of the infection.

How does Fucicort Cream work?
Fucicort Cream contains the synthetic corticosteroid betamethasone, which is a high potency anti-inflammatory that is more potent than hydrocortisone. Betamethasone in Fucicort Cream works by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are hormone-like substances involved in the inflammatory process. Betamethasone in Fucicort Cream also narrows and constricts blood vessels that have become dilated (widened) and leaky allowing other inflammatory cells into the skin to escalate the inflammatory response. This reduces symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions particularly those that do not respond satisfactorily to less active steroids. Fusidic acid in Fucicort Cream is a topical antibiotic that is used to treat secondary skin infections, caused by susceptible bacteria, including sensitive strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus and Corynebacterium minutissimum. It has bacteriostatic properties as it inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, which inhibits bacterial replication, but does not kill the bacteria. Fusidic acid is very soluble in fat and water and can therefore penetrate the skin easily to get to the site of infection, which makes it a very efficient topical antibiotic.

What does Fucicort Cream contain?
Fucicort Cream contains the active ingredients betamethasone valerate (1mg), a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory and Fusidic Acid (20mg), a topical antibiotic, used in combination to treat inflammatory skin conditions that become infected. It also contains Macrogol cetostearyl ether (Cetomacrogol 1000), cetostearyl alcohol, chlorocresol, liquid paraffin, monobasic sodium phosphate dehydrate, purified water, white soft paraffin, all-rac-a-tocopherol.

Treating infected dermatitis with Fucicort Cream
Fucicort Cream contains betamethasone, a high potency anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, combined with fusidic acid, a topical antibiotic. Betamethasone in Fucicort Cream works by blocking the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are hormone-like substances involved in the inflammatory process. Inflammation occurs in several skin conditions including dermatitis and betamethasone in Fucicort Cream helps relieve symptoms of dermatitis, reducing itching, redness, dryness and soreness, which can become severe if untreated. Fusidic acid in Fucicort Cream is an antibiotic that is used to treat secondary skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria in skin damaged by inflammatory dermatoses. It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, which inhibits bacterial replication, but does not kill the bacteria. The combination of an anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic in Fucicort Cream helps relieve symptoms of inflammatory skin disorders like itching, redness, swelling and discomfort and also reduces the risk of infection.

What are the side effects of Fucicort Cream?
The most commonly reported side effects when taking Fucicort Cream include burning, itching, irritation and dryness at the site of application; also skin atrophy. Long-term use of Fucicort Cream may cause the adrenal glands, which produce endogenous (naturally occurring) corticosteroids, to stop working efficiently and this may slow down the growth rate in children.

When should Fucicort Cream not be used?
You should not use Fucicort Cream if you:

are allergic to betamethasone or fusidic acid or any ingredients in Fucicort Cream
are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
have a viral infection of the skin, tuberculosis, acne rosacea (a chronic skin condition), perioral dermatitis (facial rash around the mouth), fungal skin infections and ulcerative conditions
have damaged skin
How should Fucicort Cream be used?
You should apply a thin film Fucicort Cream to the affected area of skin twice daily gently rubbing into the skin. You should always wash your hands after applying the medication and make sure you don?t get any in your eyes, nose or mouth. Fucicort Cream is intended for short term use and should not be used for more than 2 weeks. You should use Fucicort Cream for as long as recommended by your doctor and depending on your condition, long term continuous use should be avoided as it can cause problems and Fucicort Cream should not be used under an occlusive dressing unless directed by your doctor.

How long should you use Fucicort Cream?
You should use Fucicort Cream for as long as recommended by your doctor and depending on your condition but should not be used for more than 2 weeks; long term continuous use should be avoided as it can cause problems.

Missed dose of Fucicort Cream
If you miss a dose of Fucicort Cream apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Fucicort Cream be stored?
You should store your Fucicort Cream below 30?C in a cool dry place.