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Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
Fill in a quick online consultation for our licensed pharmacists to review.
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| Medication Name | Betamethasone & Neomycin Cream |
| Medication Form | Cream |
| Used for | Inflamed skin conditions where bacterial infection is present or likely, such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and insect bites |
| Who can use | Adults and children aged 2 years and over, as prescribed |
| Active Ingredients | Betamethasone valerate 0.1% and neomycin sulfate 0.5% (1mg/5mg per gram) |
| Usual Dose | Apply a thin layer to the affected area 2 to 3 times a day, reducing as the skin improves |
| Common Side Effects | Burning, stinging, irritation or itching where the cream is applied |
| Prescription Required | Yes |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Betamethasone & Neomycin Cream Patient Information Leaflet |
Betamethasone & Neomycin Cream is used to treat the symptoms of certain inflamed skin conditions where infection is a problem. These include:
It eases the redness, itching and swelling on the surface, while the antibiotic helps clear the bacterial infection or reduce the risk of infection taking hold in broken or scratched skin.
Betamethasone valerate and neomycin cream works in two ways because it contains two active ingredients:
As an antibiotic and steroid cream, it settles the inflammation and helps treat skin infections at the same time, which is why it suits flare-ups that have become infected.
Betamethasone & Neomycin Cream can be used by adults and children aged 2 years and over, on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist, for inflamed skin conditions where infection is present or likely.
It can make some conditions worse, including viral or fungal infections, so a prescriber will check it’s right for you before you start.
Don’t use Betamethasone & Neomycin Cream if you:
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you:
Always use the cream exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you:
If your skin hasn’t improved after 7 days, go back to your doctor. Don’t use the cream on large areas of the body for long periods unless your doctor tells you to.
Like all medicines, betamethasone & neomycin cream can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them.
The most common effects happen where you apply the cream. These can include:
Using the cream for a long time, over large areas, in large amounts or under an airtight dressing or nappy can lead to:
Stopping a topical steroid after using it continuously for a long time can trigger a withdrawal reaction. Signs include redness that can spread beyond the treated area, a burning or stinging feeling, intense itching and peeling or oozing skin.
Stop using the cream and speak to your doctor as soon as possible if your skin problem gets worse or becomes swollen during treatment, as you could be reacting to it or need a different treatment.
If a large amount is absorbed or swallowed, it can affect your hearing, nerves and kidneys, though this is unlikely with normal use.
If you notice any side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report them through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
Active ingredients: betamethasone valerate and neomycin sulfate. Each gram contains betamethasone 1mg (0.1% w/w) as valerate and neomycin sulfate 5mg (0.5% w/w).
Other ingredients: chlorocresol, cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, sodium acid phosphate, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water.
If betamethasone & neomycin cream isn’t the right fit, a few other topical treatments work in a similar way. Your prescriber can help you decide which suits your skin.
Interactions are unlikely with a cream you apply to the skin. However, if you are having surgery and large amounts are absorbed, the cream can increase or prolong the effect of medicines used to relax your muscles during an operation, so tell your doctor you’ve been using it. Let your pharmacist know about any other medicines too, including anything bought without a prescription and herbal products.
There’s no known interaction between alcohol and this cream. It’s applied to the skin and very little is absorbed into the body, so drinking alcohol won’t change how it works. If alcohol tends to flare the skin condition you’re treating, follow any advice your prescriber has given you.
Don’t mix it with other creams or ointments on the same patch of skin at the same time, as one product can dilute or affect the other. If you use other topical treatments, apply them at different times of day and leave a gap between them. Your pharmacist can advise on the right order if you’re unsure.
Only use it on your face if your doctor has told you to. Facial skin is thin and delicate, so a strong steroid like betamethasone can thin it further if used for too long. Keep the cream well away from your eyes, and rinse with plenty of water if any gets in.
The betamethasone calms the redness, swelling and itch of eczema, while the neomycin tackles the bacterial infection that can develop in broken, scratched skin. It’s suited to flare-ups where infection is present or likely.
It can be used on children aged 2 and over, but not on younger children. Smaller children need less, and a child of around 4 usually needs about a third of the adult amount. A child’s course shouldn’t normally last more than 5 days unless a doctor advises otherwise.
Use it for as long as your doctor or pharmacist has advised. If your skin hasn’t improved after 7 days, go back for a review. Avoid using it on large areas for long stretches, as prolonged use of a strong steroid can thin the skin.
It’s unlikely to affect your driving or your ability to use machines. It’s a topical cream that works on the skin, so it doesn’t cause the kind of drowsiness that would make either unsafe.
There’s no known effect on hormonal contraception such as the contraceptive pill. Only tiny amounts are absorbed through the skin, so the cream isn’t expected to interfere with how your contraception works. If you have any concerns, your pharmacist can talk them through with you.
Page content authored by Amjad Khan, last reviewed by Dr Hussain Ahmad on 2nd September 2026.
