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Last Updated 19 Apr 2012

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Diprosone 0.05% cream

Diprosone (dip-roh-son) is a medicine which is used in inflammatory skin conditions. Diprosone contains betamethasone dipropionate. It is supplied by Schering-Plough Ltd.

The information in this Medicine Guide for Diprosone varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.

There are 3 preparations of Diprosone available. If Diprosone 0.05% cream is not the preparation you are looking for, please select from the drop down list below.

Select your preparation (type) of Diprosone

Diprosone 0.05% cream

Information specific to Diprosone 0.05% cream when used in inflammatory skin conditions

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Your medicine

Diprosone reduces inflammation and can help to relieve the symptoms of inflammatory skin problems.

Other information about Diprosone:

  • this medicine can only be used for a maximum of five days in children
  • if you are applying this medicine to your face, you should not use it for more than five days

Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.

The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should use. It also tells you how often you should use your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should use. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.

If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.

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When to take your medicine

Some medicines work best if they are taken at a specific time of day. Getting the most from your medicine can also be affected by what you eat, when you eat and the times at which you take other medicines. Make sure you follow any specific instructions given to you by your prescriber or that are in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine.

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How to take your medicine

Some medicines have specific instructions about how to take them. This is because they work better when taken correctly. These instructions can include getting the right dose and special instructions for preparing the medicine.

In the case of Diprosone:

  • apply a thin layer to the affected area of skin
  • do not tightly cover or seal the area being treated

If you are having problems taking this form of Diprosone, you should talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They may be able to give you advice on other ways to take your medicine or other preparations that are easier for you to take.

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Taking too much of your medicine

Taking extra doses of some medicines can be harmful. In some cases even one extra dose can cause you problems. If you take extra doses of your medicine, you must get medical advice immediately. This is because the effects of taking too much medicine are very complex so it is very important that you seek medical advice.

Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, specialist clinic or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for advice.

Make sure you take all of your medicine containers with you if you are advised to go to hospital.

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Stopping your medicine

Suddenly stopping your medicine may cause your original condition to return. This is why you must speak to your prescriber if you are having any problems using your medicine.

If you are not having any problems taking this medicine then do not stop using it, even if you feel better, unless advised to do so by your prescriber.

If you are in any doubt, contact your prescriber, pharmacist, specialist clinic or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

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Looking after your medicine

The instructions on how you should keep your medicine are on the pharmacy label. You should keep your medicine in the original container. This will help to keep your medicine in the best condition and also allow you to check the instructions. Do not take the medicine if the packaging appears to have been tampered with or if the medicine shows any signs of damage. Make sure that the medicine is out of the sight and reach of children.

In the case of Diprosone:

  • do not store in temperatures above 25°C

You must not take the medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging. If you have any unused medicine, return it to your pharmacist who will dispose of it safely.

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Whether this medicine is suitable for you

Diprosone is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.

Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:

  • are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
  • have certain types of psoriasis
  • have inflamed skin which needs treatment in the area around the mouth, back passage or genitals
  • have skin problems such as acne, rosacea, nappy rash or an infection in the area where Diprosone needs to be applied

Furthermore the prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all for an infant or a child.

Over time it is possible that Diprosone can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Diprosone has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.

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Side-effects

A medicine is only made available to the public if the clinical trials have shown that the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh the risks.

Once a medicine has been licensed, information on the medicine's effects, both intended and unintended, is continuously recorded and updated.

Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience.

Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.

The frequency of these side-effects is unknown:

  • application site problems such as burning sensations, itching, irritation, dryness, inflammation of the hair follicles, overgrowth of hair, eruption of acne, lightened skin color, inflammation in the area around the mouth, certain types of dermatitis, infection, miliaria, or other skin problems - you should stop applying Diprosone and seek medical advice if your skin gets irritated
  • if Diprosone is used in large amounts, for a long period of time, or if the treated area of skin is in a skin fold, is tightly covered or is sealed, the amount of Diprosone which is absorbed into the body may be increased and certain side-effects may occur. These side-effects are related to the effect that steroids have on the whole body. These may include cushing-like symptoms or adrenal problems, growth suppression or intracranial hypertension in children
  • thinning of the skin, striae or superficial dilation of the blood vessels may occur if Diprosone is used continuously for a long period of time
  • worsening of psoriasis in people who are using Diprosone to treat psoriasis

If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away. Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, nurse or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

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Taking other medicines

There are no known important interactions between Diprosone and other medicines. If you experience any unusual symptoms while using Diprosone and other medicines you should tell your prescriber.

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Complementary preparations and vitamins

Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.

If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with Diprosone.

Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.

If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.

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Driving and operating machinery

When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.

Like all medicines Diprosone can cause side effects. You should see how this medicine affects you and then judge if you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt, talk to your prescriber.

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Diet

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.

In the case of Diprosone:

  • there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when using Diprosone
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Alcohol

Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.

In the case of Diprosone:

  • there are no known interactions between alcohol and Diprosone
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Family planning and pregnancy

Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.

In the case of Diprosone:

  • you should only use this medicine during pregnancy if your doctor thinks that you need it

You need to discuss your specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh up the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor can make a decision about whether you are going to take this medicine during pregnancy.

If the decision is that you should not have Diprosone, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.

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Breast-feeding

Certain medicines can pass into breast milk and may reach your baby through breast-feeding.

In the case of Diprosone:

  • you should only use this medicine while breast-feeding if your doctor thinks you need it

Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. You should only breast-feed your baby while taking this medicine on the advice of your doctor or midwife.

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Ingredients of your medicine

Medicines contain active ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine. They are also added to improve the medicine's appearance and to make it easier to use. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.

Diprosone contains:

  • cetomacrogol 1000
  • cetostearyl alcohol
  • chlorocresol
  • liquid paraffin
  • phosphoric acid
  • purified water
  • sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate
  • sodium hydroxide
  • white soft paraffin

If you are not able to take any of the ingredients in your medicine, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if they can suggest an alternative medicine. If you have reacted badly to Diprosone before, do not use Diprosone. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible.

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Diprosone, Version 3, last updated 19 Apr 2012