Gentamicin/Betamethasone Topical
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Gentamicin/Betamethasone Topical during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Gentamicin/Betamethasone Topical for pets
(jen-ta-mye-sin/bay-ta-meth-a-sone)
Description:
This is a medicine put on the skin or used in the ears to help treat problems in those areas.
Other Names for this Medication:
- GenOne Otic
- Betagen
- Vet Beta-gen
- Gentacalm
Common Dosage Forms:
- Veterinary:
- Liquids
- Thick creams/ointments
- Sprays
Antimicrobial Classification:
Critically Important
This information page does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions, but it does not replace medical advice. If you still have questions or need more details about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- This product combines an antibiotic (a medicine that fights bacteria) and a steroid (a cortisone-like medicine that reduces swelling and itching). This means more than one medicine is delivered each time you apply it.
- This medicine may be used for mild infections on the surface of the skin and for ear infections.
- After you apply it, stop your pet from licking or chewing the treated area for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Keep this medicine out of your pet’s eyes.
- After you apply it, wash your hands every time, or you may choose to wear gloves while putting it on.
How is this medication useful?
Some topical products contain more than one active ingredient. This can make it simpler to treat skin problems that involve both bacteria and irritation.
- Gentamicin sulfate is an antibiotic. It is used for bacterial infections on the surface of the skin.
- Betamethasone valerate is a steroid. It is a cortisone-like medicine that helps reduce itching and swelling.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your pet. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can decide together on the best plan.
- Other medicines may affect how this medicine works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your pet receives. This includes:
- Other medicines put on the skin
- Vitamins
- Supplements
- Herbal products
- Any other topical products
- Also share the dose and the time you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your pet has now, or has had before.
- If your pet has had treatment before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your pet is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist if your pet has ever had side effects from medicines before. This includes:
- Allergic reactions
- Not wanting to eat
- Diarrhea
- Itching
- Hair loss
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- This medicine is expected to begin working within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you may not be able to see changes right away.
- Your pet should start to feel better within 1 to 2 days.
- The effects last a moderate amount of time, meaning a few days. The helpful effects may last longer if your pet’s kidneys and/or liver do not work well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your pet.
If your pet has any of the issues listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- Pets that have had an allergic reaction to any ingredient in the specific combination product that was prescribed
- Pets that have tuberculosis infections of the skin
- Pets with an ear drum that is known or suspected to be torn (ruptured)
- Pets that are very small (for example, toy breeds)
- Pets that need treatment over large parts of the body
- Pets that get ear infections again and again
What are the side effects of this medication?
For dogs and cats, this medicine is usually tolerated well.
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
You do not need to be extremely worried if you notice any of these signs unless they are severe, get worse, or keep happening. If that occurs, contact your veterinarian.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Redness or pain where the medicine was applied
- An infection that does not improve with treatment, does not seem to be healing, or appears to be getting worse
- Not wanting to eat, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Hearing loss that happens suddenly
- Ear pain that continues to worsen
- A head tilt or moving in circles
- Sores forming around the mouth
- Drinking much more than usual (for example, often drinking large amounts of water) and urinating more often
- Skin becoming thinner, ongoing hair loss and skin redness, skin tearing more easily, or infections where the medicine is applied
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- Too much may happen if your pet swallows the medicine, if the treated area covers a large portion of the body, or if an excessive amount is applied.
- If you see or suspect an overdose, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for guidance. A consultation fee is charged for these services.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work as intended, use it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed. It is also helpful to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are using it correctly.
- Only trim hair at the treatment spot if it is needed.
- This medicine is often prescribed to be applied to the affected area two times each day.
- For skin infections, your veterinarian may also prescribe baths using a medicated shampoo. Work the shampoo into the coat well. Keep it in contact with the skin for at least 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly using cool water. Let the skin and coat dry before you apply this medicine.
- Keep it away from the eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Do not let your pet lick or chew the treated area. This can slow healing and may bring more infection into the area. If needed, your veterinarian may put a collar on your pet to stop licking and chewing.
- These medicated products may be prescribed for different lengths of time. Make sure you clearly understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep using it. You may need prescription refills before the full treatment is finished. Before you stop using this medicine, speak with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, apply it when you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, do not give the missed one. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time.
- After that, go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in its original container. Store it at room temperature and keep it protected from light.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a special custom version (a compounded product) for your pet, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
It is recommended that you wear gloves when applying these medicated products. Always wash your hands after you apply the medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour these products into a toilet and do not rinse them down a sink.
- If your area has a community drug “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the remaining product with coffee grounds or cat litter. This helps make it less appealing to children and animals and harder for people to recognize if they search through trash. Put the mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it will not leak, and then place it in the regular trash.
- Do not keep leftover product to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Combination topical medicines may be used for skin and ear problems that involve both infection and irritation.
- Some skin infections may fully clear with topical treatment alone. Other cases may also need medicines given by mouth.
- When this medicine is used on large areas or on areas with open sores, it may pass through the skin and affect the rest of the body. Small pets and pets treated for a long time may also be affected. Whole-body effects can occur with any medicine applied to the skin, but the chance is higher with steroid-containing products.
- Steroid-containing products may continue to have effects that can change allergy testing results. Unless your veterinarian gives different instructions, stop using products that contain steroids or antihistamines 2 weeks before allergy testing.
- Recheck appointments are important while your pet is being treated. Do not skip these follow-up visits.
- In some animal competitions, use of this medicine may not be permitted. Check the rules before entering a competition while your pet is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”