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Royal Mail tracked 24 or 48 hour delivery in plain, unmarked packaging.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Where a prescription is needed, the price you see includes your consultation and prescription.
Fill in a quick online consultation for our licensed pharmacists to review.
Our pharmacists will review your treatment to ensure it’s suitable.
Your treatment will be delivered to your door quickly & discreetly.
| Medication Name | Betnovate RD Cream |
| Medication Form | Cream |
| Used for | Eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis |
| Who can use | Adults and children aged 1 year and over |
| Active Ingredient(s) | Betamethasone valerate 0.025% w/w |
| Usual Dose | A thin layer applied once or twice a day |
| Common Side Effects | Burning, pain, irritation or itching where the cream is applied |
| Prescription Required | Yes |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Betnovate RD Cream Patient Information Leaflet |
Betnovate RD Cream is used to reduce the redness and itchiness of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis, as well as psoriasis.
RD stands for “Ready Diluted”. It contains a lower strength of betamethasone than standard Betnovate cream, so it’s used:
With eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis, cells in the skin release chemicals that trigger inflammation. This is what causes the redness, swelling and itching you see and feel.
Betnovate RD contains betamethasone valerate 0.025%, a topical corticosteroid (steroid). Once it’s absorbed into the skin, it reduces the release of these chemicals. This calms skin inflammation in the treated area, so redness, swelling and itching start to settle.
Betnovate RD Cream can be used by adults and children aged 1 year and over. It isn’t suitable if you’re allergic to betamethasone valerate or any of the other ingredients.
Don’t use it to treat any of the following, as it could make them worse:
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a baby, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.
Most people apply Betnovate RD Cream once or twice a day, and this may be reduced as your skin improves.
Only apply it to your face if your doctor tells you to, and for no longer than 5 days. Children need less cream than adults and a course shouldn’t normally last more than 5 days. If your skin hasn’t improved after 2 to 4 weeks, speak to your doctor.
Like all medicines, Betnovate RD Cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Prolonged use or applying it to large areas can increase the risk of side effects.
These may affect up to 1 in 10 people:
These may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people:
The frequency of these is not known:
Stop using Betnovate RD Cream and tell your doctor straight away if:
If you get any side effects, including any not in the list of side effects above, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report them through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
Active ingredient: betamethasone valerate. Each 1g contains 0.25mg betamethasone (0.025% w/w) as valerate.
Other ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, cetomacrogol 1000, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, chlorocresol, disodium hydrogen phosphate, citric acid monohydrate and purified water.
Betnovate RD Cream is classed as a strong corticosteroid. Topical steroids come in four strengths: mild, moderately potent, potent (also called strong) and very potent. Standard Betnovate contains more betamethasone, but Betnovate RD Cream 0.025% is still a strong steroid, as the percentage on the pack doesn’t show how potent it is. Always use it exactly as directed.
Avoid using it on acne, rosacea or a spotty red rash around the mouth, as it could make these worse. It also shouldn’t be used for itching around the back passage or genitals. Keep it away from your eyes and only use it on your face if your doctor tells you to.
How long you use it depends on your skin condition and how it responds, so follow your doctor or pharmacist’s advice. As your skin improves, you can usually apply it less often. Speak to your doctor if there’s no improvement after 2 to 4 weeks, and don’t normally use it for longer than 5 days on the face or on children. If you’ve been using it regularly, check with your doctor before stopping, as your skin may flare up again.
Betnovate RD Cream is a prescription-only medicine, so it isn’t available over the counter. You can buy online through our online pharmacy by completing a short consultation. Our pharmacists will review your answers and, if it’s suitable, your treatment will be dispatched.
Betnovate RD Cream is a steroid cream, as its active ingredient, betamethasone valerate, is a corticosteroid. This type of betamethasone cream reduces swelling and irritation in the skin.
Betnovate RD Cream does expire. Every 100g tube has an expiry date printed on the tube end or the carton after “EXP”; you shouldn’t use it after the last day of that month. Store Betnovate RD Cream below 25°C and out of the sight and reach of children.
Betnovate RD Cream doesn’t contain mercury. The cream contains the active ingredient betamethasone valerate, and the full list of other ingredients is shown in the ingredients section.
Betnovate RD Cream can be applied to the underarms or groin, but only if your doctor or pharmacist has advised it. These are skin folds, where the skin is thinner and a severe flare after stopping treatment is more likely. It shouldn’t be used for itching around the genitals.
Betnovate RD Cream doesn’t treat fungal or bacterial infections and could make infected skin worse if used on its own. It should only be applied to infected skin if an anti-infective medicine is used alongside Betnovate RD Cream to treat the infection, while Betnovate RD Cream eases the inflammation. If you think you have a skin infection, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Betnovate RD Cream can be used to keep your skin under control once standard Betnovate has improved it. Your doctor will decide when to switch and how long to use it for. Don’t swap between steroid creams without advice.
Betnovate RD Cream helps reduce the redness and itchiness of psoriasis. For thick patches on the elbows or knees, your doctor may suggest applying it under an airtight dressing at night for a short time. Your doctor will want to see you more often, and you should stop using it and seek advice if you get raised bumps with pus under the skin.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, think you might be pregnant or are planning a baby, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you use this medicine. They’ll consider if it’s suitable for you.
It should only be used on the face if your doctor tells you to, and for no longer than 5 days, as facial skin is more prone to skin thinning. Keep it out of your eyes. Don’t use it on rosacea or a rash around the mouth, as it could make them worse.
Betnovate RD Cream shouldn’t be used to treat itching around the genitals or back passage, as it could make it worse. If you have a skin problem in this area, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the right treatment.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you apply the cream to broken skin. If the skin is infected, it should only be used when the infection is being treated at the same time.
Clothing is fine once the cream has been rubbed in, but don’t cover it with an airtight dressing unless your doctor tells you to. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it in skin folds such as the inner elbows, behind the knees or the groin. Keep fabric that’s been in contact with the cream away from flames.
Page content authored by Mr Mohammed, last reviewed by Dr Hussain Ahmad on 13th October 2026.
