This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Betamethasone for eyes, ears and nose is used to treat cold-like symptoms caused by allergies. This includes the swelling (inflammation) inside your nose, and redness and irritation in the eyes that can be caused by hay fever and other conditions.
It's also used to treat the inflammation in your outer ear that can be caused by eczema, water or ear plugs.
Betamethasone is a type of medicine called a steroid (or corticosteroid). Corticosteroids are a copy of a substance the body makes naturally. They're not the same as anabolic steroids.
Betamethasone for eyes, ears and nose is available on prescription only, for adults, children and babies aged 1 month old and over.
It comes as an eye ointment or as drops for eyes, ears and nose.
Betamethasone for eyes, ears and nose also comes combined with an antibiotic called neomycin. These drops are used when there's both inflammation and bacterial infection in the eye, nose or ear.
Betamethasone also comes as:
- tablets for many conditions, including asthma and rheumatoid arthritis
- skin treatments for eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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