Betamethasone
Description
Betamethasone is a steroid, a class of medications used to treat internal and external inflammation (swelling and redness) associated with medical conditions like asthma, colitis, arthritis, severe skin allergies, etc. This medicine works by preventing the release of chemical substances that cause swelling, redness, and itching in the body.
Betamethasone shows common side effects like headache, nausea, loss of appetite, weight gain, constipation, bloating, skin rash, pale skin, etc. These side effects resolve on their own. Inform your doctor if they persist or worsen.
Betamethasone is available as tablets, oral drops, injection, lotion, eye/ear drops, cream, and ointment. Use Betamethasone regularly as directed by your doctor. You can take your tablet with or without food. Take it every day at the same time to avoid missing a dose. In case of overdose, consult your doctor immediately. The injection form of this medicine will be given in a hospital setting by your doctor. To use the topical form of Betamethasone, apply the cream/ointment to the affected area as prescribed by your doctor.
Betamethasone should not come in contact with eyes, mouth, and any open areas in the body. The dose and duration may vary depending on the severity of your condition and the indication you are being treated for. Consult your doctor if you do not see any improvement after taking this medicine for the prescribed dose and duration.
Avoid Betamethasone if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have conditions like diabetes, liver problems, or Cushing's syndrome (a condition that is caused by the excess of stress hormone, cortisol). This medicine is not usually recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This medicine should not be used by children below 18 years of age and the elderly for prolonged periods or in amounts greater than your doctor has prescribed.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Betamethasone
- Blurred vision
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Skin itch
- Drying and cracking of skin
- Acne
- Pale skin
- Persistent infections
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Growth retardation in children
- Hoarseness of voice
- Headache
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Weight gain
Uses of Betamethasone
What is it prescribed for?
- Allergy and inflammation
- Joint inflammation
- Eye inflammation
- Skin disorders
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Betamethasone may vary depending on the route of administration: Orally: The effect of this medicine can be observed within a few minutes after oral intake Injection (intramuscular): You may notice the effect within 1–3 hours of administration Topical: You start to feel the change after a few days of using this medicine.
- Duration of effectThe time duration for which this medicine remains effective is subject to vary depending on the form and route of administration. Oral: Exact time for which it remains active is not known Injection (IM): The effect may last for seven days Topical: Exact duration of action of this form is not established
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?Use of Betamethasone during pregnancy is not recommended as it may harm your baby. Your doctor may prescribe you this medicine only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Use of Betamethasone while breastfeeding is not recommended as it passes into breast milk. However, if it is absolutely necessary to use this medicine, then breastfeeding should be discontinued. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before using this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid using Betamethasone if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is a history of allergy to this medication. Seek immediate medical attention, if you notice symptoms of allergic reaction such as excess skin rash, itching, dizziness and fever.
Systemic Fungal Infection
Betamethasone is not recommended for use if you have a fungal infection affecting an internal organ/organs in the body. This medicine is known to suppress your immune system which may further aggravate your condition.
Active untreated infection
Betamethasone is known to suppress the immune system. Taking this medicine if you have any serious infection may worsen your condition.
Consult your doctor for appropriate treatment.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Use of Betamethasone during pregnancy is not recommended as it may harm your baby. Your doctor may prescribe you this medicine only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Use of Betamethasone while breastfeeding is not recommended as it passes into breast milk. However, if it is absolutely necessary to use this medicine, then breastfeeding should be discontinued. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before using this medicine.
General warnings
Other medications
Betamethasone may interact with any medicine that you might be taking. To ensure safe and effective use of this medicine, inform your doctor about all the medicines and herb supplements you use.
Allergic reactions
Betamethasone can potentially cause moderate to severe allergic reactions in your body. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of skin rash, itching, redness, swelling, and pain.
Other diseases
Betamethasone should be used with caution if you have conditions like cirrhosis ( liver disease), diverticulitis (infection of bulges in the colon), myasthenia gravis ( weakness of muscles), peptic ulcer disease (damage in stomach due to excess acid), kidney diseases etc. Report all such conditions to your doctor before initiating treatment with this medicine.
Change in blood pressure
Use of Betamethasone may cause loss of electrolytes like sodium and potassium from your body. Hence, it leads to low blood pressure.
Withdrawal symptoms
Use of Betamethasone should not be abruptly stopped as you are likely to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. The use should be slowly and gradually withdrawn.
Growth disorders in children
Betamethasone should be used with caution in your child as the risk of growth abnormalities, brittle bones, and other developmental problems are significantly high.
Immunization procedures
Immunization procedures involving the injection of a live and weakened bacteria should be avoided while taking Betamethasone. This medicine may suppress your immunity further increasing your risk for severe infection.
Delayed wound healing
Use of Betamethasone can delay the process of wound healing as it suppresses your immune system.
Tuberculosis relapse
Use of Betamethasone can cause a relapse of tuberculosis if you have recently recovered from it. It is advised to conduct suitable diagnostic tests before starting the treatment with this medicine.
Defect in vision
Use of Betamethasone has been sometimes associated with an increase in intraocular pressure and may cause glaucoma or the formation of cataracts. It should be very carefully administered if you have eye diseases.
Epidural injections
Use of Betamethasone in an injectable form given in your lower back has major side effects. This route of administration for corticosteroids, in general, should be avoided.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose of Betamethasone, make sure that you remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Overdose
Overdose of Betamethasone may occur when it is accidentally or intentionally used at a higher dose for a longer duration. Symptoms may include thinning of the skin, easy bruising and bleeding, etc. Contact your doctor if an overdose with Betamethasone is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Amlodipine
Mifepristone
Warfarin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Insulin
Ciprofloxacin
BCG vaccine
Disease interactions
Tuberculosis
Betamethasone should be used with caution if you have recently recovered from tuberculosis. The risks of a relapse are significantly high and hence, close monitoring of signs and symptoms is necessary.
Electrolyte imbalance
Betamethasone is known to cause imbalances in the levels of minerals like calcium, potassium, and sodium in your body. Hence it should be administered with caution if you have a pre-existing electrolyte imbalance disorder as it may lead to low blood pressure.
Gastrointestinal perforations
Gastrointestinal perforations is a hole in your stomach, intestine, and food pipe. Betamethasone is known to cause perforations and bleeding in your stomach especially when high doses are consumed. Hence this medicine should be administered with caution if you are having a pre-existing perforation disorder of the stomach or intestine.
Infections
Betamethasone can suppress the immune system especially if the dose is high. This may increase the chances of contracting an infection or reduce the capacity to fight infection in your body. Hence, this medicine or corticosteroids, in general, should not be used if you have any active infections.
Myocardial infarction
Betamethasone should be used with extreme caution if you have recovered or are recovering from a recent heart attack. It may lead to electrolyte imbalance and improper blood supply to the heart causing heart failure.
Ocular herpes infection
Ocular herpes infection is a serious eye infection caused by a virus (herpes simplex). This causes eye pain, redness, headache, and fever. Betamethasone should be used with caution if you are suffering from an eye infection caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Scleroderma
You should use Betamethasone with caution if you have scleroderma, a condition where your skin and connective tissue beneath become hard and stiff.
Threadworm infection
Use Betamethasone with caution if you have an infection caused by threadworm (Strongyloides), as this medicine may worsen your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Betamethasone as instructed by the doctor. The dose of this medicine, its dosage forms, duration and other attributes are subject to vary depending on the condition. Hence adherence to the instruction is necessary to ensure safe and effective use of this medicine. The oral form of this medicine can be taken with food. The tablet can be swallowed with water or can be taken dissolved in water.
The injection is administered in a proper healthcare setting by specialized healthcare professionals. Do not self administer.
Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. Wash your hands before and after applying the cream/ointment. Also, wash the affected surface with water before applying the cream. If this medicine gets in your eyes or mouth, rinse immediately with water.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Betamethasone works by decreasing the release of certain substances that cause swelling, pain and irritation of internal and external organs. It also suppresses the effect of the immune system which helps to control inflammation (redness and swelling).
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Glucocorticoids
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 27 April 2017]. Available from:
Betamethasone | C22H29FO5 - PubChem [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 27 April 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Betamethasone dipropionate cream BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE- betamethasone dipropionate ointment BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE- betamethasone dipropionate lotion [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 27 April 2017]. Available from:
Betamethasone - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 12 Nov 2021
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