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Patient Information Leaflet
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Betnovate rectal ointment
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Trade mark
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What you should know about Betnovate rectal ointment
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What your ointment does
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Betnovate rectal ointment is a strong preparation for the rapid relief of discomfort. pain, itchiness or irritation around the anus (back passage) due to problems such as haemorrhoids (piles).
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IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT
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Following this advice gives the ointment a chance to work safely and effectively.
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What is in your ointment
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Betnovate rectal ointment is one of a group of medicines called topical steroids. "Topical" means they are put on the skin. Topical steroids reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems. (They should not be confused with "anabolic" steroids misused by some body builders and taken as tablets or injections).
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Betnovate rectal ointment also contains lignocaine to reduce pain and itchiness and phenylephrine to help to reduce any swelling.
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Ingredients of the ointment include:
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The main active ingredient - betamethasone valerate 0.05% a local anaesthetic  - lignocaine hydrochloride 2.5% a vasoconstrictor - phenylephrine hydrochloride 0.1% in a base containing microcrystalline wax and liquid paraffin.
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The ointment does not contain any lanolin, parabens or colouring agents.
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Before you use your ointment
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This ointment has been prescribed to treat the problem you saw your doctor about.
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DO NOT put it on any other skin problems as it could make them worse, especially:
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acne skin infections such as cold sores, herpes, impetigo, athletes foot, chicken pox, ringworm, thrush If you have had an allergy to any creams, ointments or local anaesthetics in the past
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If you think you may be pregnant.
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Did you tell your doctor at the last visit or an earlier visit?
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IF YOU DID 
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NOT
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 TELL YOUR DOCTOR THEN YOU SHOULD DO SO 
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BEFORE
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 STARTING THE TREATMENT
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Even so, your doctor may still want you to use the ointment.
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Children
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 - DO NOT use on a child under one year of age
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How to use your ointment
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If your doctor has told you in detail HOW MUCH to use and HOW OFTEN then keep to this advice.
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If you are not sure then follow the advice on the back of this leaflet.
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Unless told by your doctor:
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-YOU SHOULD NOT use more than this.
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-A course of treatment should not last more than seven days -YOU SHOULD NOT repeat such courses several times in a short period of time.
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Overuse like this may:
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- thin the skin so that it damages easily - allow the active ingredient to pass through the skin and affect other parts of the body, especially in children.
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If your problem does not improve in seven days tell your doctor.
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Has the ointment any side effects?
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Most people find using this ointment causes no problems when used in the right amount for the correct length of time. (See above as well as guidance on back of this leaflet).
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IF you find your condition gets worse during treatment you may be allergic to the ointment or have a skin infection.
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STOP USING THE OINTMENT AND TELL YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
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Repeated courses of topical steroids over a long time may sometimes cause changes in hair growth and skin colour.
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Further guidance on how to use your ointment
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If your doctor has told you in detail how to use the ointment then keep to that advice otherwise:–
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To treat the area around the back passage
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Two or three times a day, after washing your hands, gently rub a small amount of ointment into the area to be treated, then wash your hands again. As the problem gets better you may find you only need to do this once a day.
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If you want to put some ointment inside the back passage
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Wash your hands.
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Unscrew the cap of the tube and firmly screw on the applicator.
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Squeeze out a little ointment and smear it around the applicator.
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Bend forward, squat or stand up with one leg raised on a chair, whichever is most comfortable, and gently insert the applicator into your back passage.
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Squeeze the tube gently and pull it away slowly at the same time.
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Wipe the nozzle clean with a soft tissue and wash your hands again.
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What to do with any unused ointment
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If your doctor stops your treatment, return any unused ointment to a pharmacist. Only keep it if your doctor tells you to.
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Do not use the ointment after the expiry date on the tube end or carton.
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Remember
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This ointment was prescribed for YOU so never give it to someone else to try – even if they seem to have the same problem. There may be reasons why it could harm that person.
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Further information
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This leaflet does not contain all the information about your treatment. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist who has the information you need and will advise you. Pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to answer questions from patients about their diseases.
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You may also be able to find out more from books in public libraries.
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YOU MAY WANT TO READ THIS LEAFLET AGAIN. PLEASE DO NOT THROW IT AWAY UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED YOUR TREATMENT.
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This leaflet has been produced in accordance with guidance issued by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. The information provided applies only to BETNOVATE RECTAL OINTMENT.
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Product Licence held by
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Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Stockley Park, England.
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Manufactured by Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Speke, Liverpool, England.
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BETNOVATE is a trade mark.
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Leaflet written October 1992
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