Betamethasone - topical

Classification: B

Drug products: Betametason Trimb, Betametason-neomycin i Essex kräm APL, Betnovat, Betnovat®, Betnovate, Bettamousse, Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Sandoz, Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Teva, Celeston® valerat, Daivobet, Daivobet®, Diproderm®, Diprolen®, Diprotit, Dovobet, Dovobet®, Enstilar, Enstilar®, Fusidinsyra/Betametason Ebb, Fusidinsyra/Betametason LEO, Kalcipotriol/Betametason Ebb, Xamiol, Xamiol®

ATC code: D05AX52, D07AC01, D07CC01, S02BA07

Summary

Published controlled studies on sex differences in effect and safety of topical betamethasone are lacking.

Additional information

Pharmacokinetics and dosing

Topical betamethasone is used for treatment of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses [2]. Topical corticosteroids may be systematically absorbed if used on large areas, on broken skin, or under occlusive dressings [3]. No difference between men and women has been shown for transdermal absorption in general [4].

No studies on sex differences in pharmacokinetics or dosing for topical betamethasone have been found.

Effects

No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the effects of topical betamethasone have been found.

Adverse effects

No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding adverse effects of topical betamethasone have been found.

Reproductive health issues

Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult Janusmed Drugs and Birth Defects (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).

Other information

A retrospective analysis of patients with eczema or psoriasis on standard dermatological treatment (295 men, 291 women) found that significantly more men than women (79; 63%, 47; 37%) were administered whole-body UV treatment. Also, the results indicated that men had more treatments appointments per individual than women. Women were prescribed more emollients than men [1].

Updated: 2020-08-28

Date of litterature search: 2017-01-02

References

Nyberg F, Osika I, Evengård B. "The Laundry Bag Project"--unequal distribution of dermatological healthcare resources for male and female psoriatic patients in Sweden. Int J Dermatol. 2008;47:144-9. PubMed
Betamethasone (generic). Summary of Product Characteristics. Medical Products Agency Sweden.
Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. Pharmaceutical Press.
Schwartz JB. The influence of sex on pharmacokinetics. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2003;42:107-21. PubMed
Läkemedelsstatistik. Stockholm: Socialstyrelsen. 2015 [cited 2017-01-09.] Socialstyrelsens statistikdatabas

Authors: Linnéa Karlsson Lind

Reviewed by: Mia von Euler

Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson