Betnovate cream 0.1% - alternative?

[Droolylabradors]

Hi all, this seems to be out of stock everywhere, I've been using it for 25 years and I really need a replacement.

My GP is a prescribing GP and has so far offered ointment or an alternative 'cream' that may as well have been an ointment.

I need a true cream as my excema is in such large patches and I can't tolerate any kind of ointment.

I've been making do with hydrocortisone 1% but it's not nailing it.

Does anyone know what else I can look for please? Thank you!

Ps. Don't want a discussion about long term steroid cream use. 😉

No help in the same boat here except with the ointment, it’s been out of stocks for 6 months!

You can get it online - if you google it there are a few UK online pharmacies who can prescribe it for you privately if you fill in their form. It will be reviewed by a doctor and it won't be as cheap as an nhs prescription as that's how they make their money. It'll be about £10-£15 from memory

Looks like one called The Independent pharmacy .co .uk has it in stock

Could you not just mix it with water yourself? Cream is only emulsified ointment.

We were given Audavate 0.1% cream as an alternative. Pretty sure it’s the same active ingredient.

Hi! I had exactly the same problem. My GP switched me to mometasone furoate. I don’t like it as much as the betnovate but the best I can do since it has totally disappeared.

When you say out of stock everywhere?
It may depend on which wholesalers your pharmacy uses.

You could try eumovate? Otc in pharmacies

I do have some eumovate but it's too thick and smells grim.

Ointment is my nails on blackboard feeling. I can't put it on.

@DevilgateDriver thank you so much I couldn't find that when I searched, but I've just made an order for a 100g tube (£23 incl postage eeek)

@SpongeBobSquarePantaloons yes that's what I was given last week but I just can't spread it. I literally have excema all over my back, arms, legs, nose and eyelids (and yes, consultant told me to use it on my face😊

As always I'm so grateful to you lovely mumsnet people.

Can you get Elocon cream ? I use the ointment but it sounds like that might not work

Hi OP

Glad you managed to find it. Can you share which site you used as my mum needs exactly this. Thanks

My GP switched me to double base gel. Which I use twice a day, you can use it more often. Took a while to work, but it's settled down again. I didn't realise there was a shortage.

@zeddybrek I used the independentpharmacy. Co. UK as in the post above. And I got a 100g tube whoop!

@justasking111 isnt doublebase emollient? Glad it's worked for you. 😊

Having the exact same problem here OP, but last time I went to the chemist for it they said they had the larger tubes (eg 100g) in stock still. They said if I could get the doctor to prescribe the larger amount then they could give it, it's just the small ones they're out of. Was too urgent for me by then so I ended up just buying online but might be worth knowing for next time!

@GiselleMaarschalkerweerddeKlotz thats brilliant info thank you!

Chemist4U have 100g betamethasone valerate (generic betnovate) in stock, £17.49 inc p&p.

NHS website says stock issues expected till June 2025 so stock up! Crazy. Dh has been put onto oral steroids now as needed something stronger but he was struggling to get the cream last month. And yes, says the ointment is shit.

@CormorantStrikesBack thats insane and frustrating.

Thanks have ordered. Got fed up with GP giving me different emollients. Found a smidge left in an old tube which sorted it overnight.

Well my prescription is on hold the want a photo of my eczema. Unfortunately it's in a place I can't reach because of my arthritic spine and hip. So I'm back to square one

That's a shame @justasking111. Do you have anyone that could take the photo for you? Or could you prop the phone up somewhere and use the timer function/ voice command? With my phone I can say "shoot" and it'll take a pic.

Umm it's my private parts so no 😂😂

@justasking111 Eek! Suppose I should be thankful mine's on my hands.

I was prescribed Betnovate a while ago and couldn't get it as it was out of stock. The pharmacist did say they had the bigger tubes though (far bigger than I needed) and if I got my prescription changed she'd save one for me.
I spoke to the docs to say o couldn't get it anywhere and could I have an alternative prescription or a Prescription for the bigger size.

Well I've tried another online company who don't need photos. They're pondering on it now.

I've had two tubes in 12 months from the GP. One large one to deal with a hellish outbreak and one small one for use as and when needed. Then could only be prescribed emollients. You'd think I was a junkie . I'm somewhat pissed off now to be honest.