Drug name: Celestoderm-V

Other names used:

• Antroquoril®
• Betacap®
• Betnovate®
• Bettamousse®
• Celestone®
• Prevex B®
• Valisone®
• Valnac.®

Active Ingredients:

• Betamethasone valerate

Therapeutic action of Celestoderm-V: Celestoderm-V belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids and it's mainly used for treating inflammation. Whenever our body feels threatened by some foreign elements our immune system automatically releases certain substances that fight them and also reminds us that there is something unwanted inside our body. One of the ways to show this is by widening the blood vessels which results in inflammation, redness, itching etc. When Celestoderm-V is used on the affected area the ingredients in this medicine act on the inflamed blood vessel and reduce the swelling, itching and redness. Celestoderm-V also has a moisturizer in it which keeps the skin moist and prevents the skin from becoming dry, scaly and itchy.

Indications: Celestoderm-V is used for treating:

• Prurigo nodularis (skin disease characterised by pruritic (itchy) nodules which usually appear on the arms or legs)
• Lichen simplex or Neurodermatitis (skin disorder characterized by chronic itching and scratching)
• Contact dermatitis (inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritating substance)
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis (an inflammatory skin disorder affecting the scalp, face and torso)
• Discoid lupus erythematosus
• Generalised erythroderma
• Common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation (Psoriasis)
• Lichen planus (disease which causes tender or painful mouth lesions)

Precautions and Restrictions: Avoid using this cream or ointment if you have the following:

• Yeast infections, vaccinia, varicella, herpes simplex, Cutaneous tuberculosis.
• The more you use Celestoderm-V cream or ointment the more the body absorbs it. Over application can lead to serious complications like a reduced production of adrenal gland, skin thinning etc. Hence, it should be used only in the affected area. Use the right quantity and also use air tight dressing.
• Celestoderm-V cream or ointment should be used externally.
• If you are using Celestoderm-V for psoriasis, then get regular check up done because sometimes use of Celestoderm-V can aggravate psoriasis and can also cause generalised pustular psoriasis.
• Use the right quantity of Celestoderm-V and apply it as a tin film on the affected area.
• Keep this medicine away from eyes, mouth, nasal passages or other sensitive areas. Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs.
• Avoid using this medicine for more than 5 days, especially if you are using it on face or to treat children.
• If Celestoderm-V is used to treat young children then do not use air tight dressing as it will increase the absorption by the body thereby increasing the chances of unintended reactions.
• After applying this cream or ointment using hands wash them thoroughly.
• After application if the skin gets infected consult your doctor at once.

Side effects of Celestoderm-V: Use of Celestoderm-V cream and ointment can cause certain side effects that are wholly or partly unintended. The below mentioned adverse reactions may or may not occur and proof of such reactions experienced by one person is no proof that these effects will occur in other patients as well. Some of the side effects that may result from the use of Celestoderm-V are:

• Abnormal amount of hair growth on the body (Hypertrichosis)
• Development of multiple abnormalities in the blood vessels (Telangiectasia)
• Irregular areas of skin that look like bands, stripes or lines (Striae or Stretch marks)
• Skin Color Changes
• Skin thinning

For an exhaustive list of all the side effects caused by Celestoderm-V cream and ointment, it's best to consult a doctor or pharmacist or the leaflet supplied by the manufacturers of this drug.

Interactions: Before using Celestoderm-V cream or ointment it is advisable to consult your physician and let him know the treatments or medicines you are currently taking. Also get a prescription from your doctor before starting using another drug to ensure that the combination of the drugs is safe. Celestoderm-V is safe to use and there are no serious interactions reported, but use of Celestoderm-V cream or ointment for a long period of time and on a large area can cause certain adverse reactions and can react with other medicines you are taking.

Additional Information: One is advised not to give Celestoderm-V cream and ointment to any person without proper medical prescription. Do not use this medicine in any other type of health related complication. Keep the medicine and syringes away from children to avoid any problem.