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Generic Name: betamethasone and calcipotriene (topical) (bay tuh METH a zone and cal si po TRY eeen)
Brand Names: Taclonex

What is betamethasone and calcipotriene?

Betamethasone is a topical corticosteroid. It reduces swelling, relieves itching, and constricts blood vessels.

Calcipotriene is a form of vitamin D. It works by decreasing the rate of skin cell reproduction.

Betamethasone and calcipotriene is a combination drug used to treat psoriasis vulgaris.

Betamethasone and calcipotriene may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

What is the most important information I should know about betamethasone and calcipotriene?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Before using betamethasone and calcipotriene, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

There may be other drugs that can affect betamethasone and calcipotriene. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using betamethasone and calcipotriene?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• low or high levels of calcium in your blood;

• severe forms of psoriasis (with pus, skin peeling, severe redness); or

• a skin infection.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use betamethasone and calcipotriene, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Tell your doctor if you are receiving UV light treatments (phototherapy) for your psoriasis.

How should I use betamethasone and calcipotriene?

Use betamethasone and calcipotriene exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Betamethasone and calcipotriene topical is for use on the skin only. However, do not apply the medicine to your face, underarms, or groin (genital area).

Apply a thin layer of the medication and rub it in completely.

While you are using this medication, your blood and urine may need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a betamethasone and calcipotriene overdose may include nausea, vomiting, lost appeitite, tiredness, trouble breathing, joint/muscle pain, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while using betamethasone and calcipotriene?

Avoid applying this medicine to more than one-third of your skin surface at any one time.

What are the possible effects of betamethasone and calcipotriene?

• severe skin irritation on treated areas;

• worsened symptoms or no improvement in psoriasis;

• pus, swelling, redness, increased itching, or other signs of skin infection;

• confusion, thirst, extreme tiredness, lost appetite, weight loss;

• adrenal insuffiency--nausea, vomiting, lost appetite, tiredness, trouble breathing, joint/muscle pain, feeling light-headed, fainting;

• Cushing syndrome--weight gain (especially in your face), thinning muscles in your arms or legs, easy bruising, thinning skin, acne, increased facial hair, darkened skin; or

• high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)--increased urination and thirst, nausea, vomiting.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue using betamethasone and calcipotriene and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• burning or mild itching;

• red or scaly rash;

• swollen hair follicles; or

• changes in the color of treated skin areas.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect betamethasone and calcipotriene?

Before using betamethasone and calcipotriene, tell your doctor if you are using any other steroid medicines, or other medicines to treat psoriasis.

There may be other drugs that can affect betamethasone and calcipotriene. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about betamethasone and calcipotriene written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Betamethasone and calcipotriene is available with a prescription under the brand name Taclonex. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.