Comprehensive medication guide to Betamethasone including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$25 copay for generic betamethasone topicals on most commercial insurance plans (Tier 1–2 preferred generic). Brand-name products like Luxiq, Sernivo, and Enstilar are Tier 3–5 and may require prior authorization or step therapy with a generic corticosteroid trial.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$47–$73 retail for the most common generic topical formulations (30–45g tube); as low as $13–$21 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Walmart's $4/$10 generic program offers betamethasone valerate and dipropionate for $4 (30-day) at participating locations.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Betamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid (corticosteroid) used to reduce inflammation and suppress immune responses across a wide range of medical conditions. It belongs to the same class as prednisone and dexamethasone but is significantly more potent — approximately 25 times more anti-inflammatory than cortisol by weight. It was first patented in 1958 and has been approved in the United States since 1961.
In 2023, betamethasone was the 280th most commonly prescribed medication in the US, with over 700,000 prescriptions — the majority topical formulations for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and is available generically in multiple dosage forms.
Common brand names include Diprolene and Diprosone (betamethasone dipropionate topical), Luxiq (betamethasone valerate foam for scalp), Sernivo (betamethasone dipropionate spray), and Celestone Soluspan (betamethasone sodium phosphate/acetate injection).
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Betamethasone works by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inside cells. The betamethasone-GR complex travels to the cell nucleus and directly regulates gene expression — increasing production of anti-inflammatory proteins while suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).
Key mechanisms include: (1) blocking inflammatory cytokine production; (2) preventing white blood cell migration to inflamed tissue; (3) reducing capillary permeability to decrease swelling; (4) stabilizing lysosomal membranes to prevent enzyme-mediated tissue damage; and (5) blocking the arachidonic acid cascade that produces prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
The two main topical formulations differ in potency: betamethasone dipropionate (Class 1–2, high to super-potent) penetrates skin more deeply due to its diester structure. Betamethasone valerate (Class 3–5, medium-high potency) is less penetrant and typically better suited for maintenance therapy and sensitive areas.
0.05% dipropionate — cream
Standard betamethasone dipropionate cream — Class 2 high potency topical; apply 1-2x daily for up to 2-4 weeks
0.05% dipropionate augmented — ointment/gel
Augmented betamethasone dipropionate — Class 1 super-potent; apply 1-2x daily, max 2 weeks; not for face or intertriginous areas
0.1% valerate — cream/ointment
Betamethasone valerate — Class 3-5 medium-high potency; apply 1-3x daily; suitable for maintenance and moderately severe dermatoses
0.12% valerate — foam
Luxiq foam — betamethasone valerate foam for scalp conditions; apply twice daily; keep away from open flame
0.05% dipropionate — spray
Sernivo spray — for mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis in adults 18+; apply twice daily for up to 4 weeks
6 mg/mL (3 mg/mL SP + 3 mg/mL acetate) — injectable suspension
Celestone Soluspan — IM or intra-articular injection; 0.25-9 mg per injection depending on site and condition; administered by healthcare provider
As of 2026, betamethasone is not listed on the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Generic betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone valerate topical creams and ointments are produced by multiple manufacturers and are generally well-stocked at most pharmacies. The findability score of 82/100 reflects good general availability with some friction for less common formulations.
Patients are most likely to encounter availability challenges with specialty formulations such as Luxiq foam, Sernivo spray, or combination products like Taclonex/Enstilar (betamethasone + calcipotriene). Injectable Celestone Soluspan may also face increased demand when other corticosteroid injectables (triamcinolone, methylprednisolone) face shortage conditions. Independent pharmacies typically have more reliable access to these products than large chain pharmacies.
If you're having trouble finding your specific betamethasone formulation, medfinder can contact local pharmacies on your behalf to verify real-time availability — saving you hours of phone calls.
Betamethasone is not a controlled substance, so it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider who has established a valid prescriber-patient relationship. There are no DEA registration requirements or special prescribing restrictions beyond standard prescription drug regulations.
Healthcare providers who commonly prescribe betamethasone include:
Telehealth availability: Because betamethasone is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states. Dermatology telehealth platforms, general telehealth services (like Teladoc), and urgent care telehealth providers can prescribe topical betamethasone after a video or photo consultation — making it one of the more accessible prescription medications to obtain without an in-person visit. Injectable betamethasone always requires an in-person appointment.
No. Betamethasone is not a controlled substance and is not listed under any DEA schedule. It is a prescription-only medication in the United States — meaning you need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider — but it does not carry the abuse potential, storage requirements, or strict prescribing limitations associated with controlled substances such as opioids or stimulants.
Because betamethasone is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states, refilled at the prescriber's discretion without in-person visits, and called in to a pharmacy without special DEA procedures. Any licensed prescriber — including physician assistants and nurse practitioners — can prescribe betamethasone.
Common local side effects of topical betamethasone include:
Serious side effects (more common with prolonged use or systemic forms):
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Triamcinolone Acetonide (Kenalog, Triderm)
Medium-potency (Class 4-5) topical and injectable corticosteroid. The most common substitute for betamethasone valerate topically and for Celestone Soluspan injection. Very low cost as generic (~$5-15 with GoodRx).
Clobetasol Propionate (Temovate, Clobex)
Class 1 super-potent topical corticosteroid — the closest match to augmented betamethasone dipropionate in potency. Available as generic in cream, ointment, foam, spray, and shampoo. Typically $10-30 with discount coupons.
Mometasone Furoate (Elocon)
Class 4 medium-potency topical corticosteroid with once-daily dosing advantage. Good substitute for betamethasone valerate when improved adherence is a priority. Available as generic.
Fluocinolone Acetonide (Synalar)
Low-to-medium potency (Class 5-6) topical corticosteroid. Available in cream, ointment, and scalp oil. A gentler option for milder conditions or more sensitive areas.
Prefer Betamethasone? We can find it.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin)
majorCombined use with systemic betamethasone significantly increases gastrointestinal ulcer and bleeding risk. Both drugs independently irritate the GI lining. GI protection with a PPI may be warranted.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
moderateBetamethasone can alter warfarin's anticoagulant effect unpredictably — some patients experience increased INR (bleeding risk), others a decreased effect. INR monitoring recommended around time of betamethasone use.
Antidiabetic medications (insulin, metformin, GLP-1 agonists)
majorBetamethasone raises blood glucose by increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis and reducing insulin sensitivity. Diabetic patients may need temporary medication adjustment and more frequent glucose monitoring.
CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors)
moderateThese drugs slow betamethasone metabolism, raising betamethasone blood levels and increasing risk of systemic side effects including adrenal suppression.
CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, St. John's Wort)
moderateThese drugs speed betamethasone metabolism, potentially reducing its therapeutic effect.
Live vaccines (MMR, varicella, yellow fever)
majorLive vaccines should not be administered to patients on immunosuppressive doses of betamethasone — the suppressed immune system may not mount proper protection and could develop vaccine-strain infection.
Diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
moderateCombined use can cause additive potassium loss (hypokalemia), leading to muscle weakness, cramps, and cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
Betamethasone is a highly effective, well-established corticosteroid that has been helping patients manage inflammatory conditions for over 60 years. Used correctly — for appropriate conditions, at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest necessary duration — it is safe and remarkably effective. The key is using it as directed by your healthcare provider and being aware of the risks of prolonged or overuse.
If you're using betamethasone for a chronic condition like psoriasis or severe eczema, work closely with your dermatologist to develop a maintenance strategy that controls your disease while minimizing long-term steroid exposure. Many patients benefit from rotational steroid therapy, emollient-heavy maintenance between flares, and transition to non-steroidal options (like calcineurin inhibitors or biologics) for ongoing disease control.
If you're having difficulty locating betamethasone at your pharmacy, remember: the medication is generally well-supplied nationally. The issue is usually local pharmacy inventory. Use medfinder to quickly locate which pharmacies near you have your specific formulation in stock — saving you the time and frustration of calling multiple locations yourself.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini