Betamethasone(bay ta meth’ a sone)
Betamethasone
Topical dermatologic ointment, cream, lotion, gel
Betamethasone Dipropionate
(dye proh py’ oh nayt)
Topical dermatologic ointment, cream, lotion, aerosol: Diprolene, Diprolene AF, Maxivate, Taro-Sone (CAN)
Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate and Acetate
Systemic, IM, and local intra-articular, intralesional, intra-dermal injection: Celestone Soluspan
Betamethasone Valerate
(val ayr’ ayt)
Topical dermatologic ointment, cream, lotion, foam: Betaderm (CAN), Beta-Val, Luxiq, Prevex B (CAN), Psorion Cream, Valisone
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Corticosteroid (long-acting)
Glucocorticoid
Hormone
Therapeutic Actions
Binds to intracellular corticosteroid receptors, thereby initiating many natural complex reactions that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.
Indications
Systemic administration
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Treatment of primary or secondary adrenocorticoid insufficiency
-
Hypercalcemia associated with cancer
-
Short-term management of inflammatory and allergic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, collagen diseases (eg, SLE), dermatologic diseases (eg, pemphigus), status asthmaticus, and autoimmune disorders
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Hematologic disorders: Thrombocytopenia purpura, erythroblastopenia
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Ulcerative colitis, acute exacerbations of MS, and palliation in some leukemias and lymphomas
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Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement
Intra-articular or soft-tissue administration
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Arthritis, psoriatic plaques, and so forth
Dermatologic preparations
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Relief of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of steroid-responsive dermatoses
Contraindications and Cautions
Systemic (oral and parenteral) administration
-
Contraindicated with infections, especially tuberculosis, fungal infections, amebiasis, vaccinia and varicella, and antibiotic-resistant infections, lactation.
All forms
-
Use cautiously with kidney or liver disease, hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis with impending perforation, diverticulitis, active or latent peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, heart failure, hypertension, thromboembolic disorders, osteoporosis, seizure disorders, diabetes mellitus, active infections.
Available Forms
Syrup—0.6 mg/5 mL; injection—3 mg betamethasone sodium phosphate with 3 mg betamethasone acetate; ointment—0.1%, 0.05%; cream—0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%; lotion—0.1%, 0.05%; gel—0.05%
Dosages
Adults
Systemic administration
Individualize dosage, based on severity and response. Give daily dose before 9 AM to minimize adrenal suppression. Reduce initial dosage in small increments until the lowest dose that maintains satisfactory clinical response is reached. If long-term therapy is needed, alternate-day therapy with a short-acting corticosteroid should be considered. After long-term therapy, withdraw drug slowly to prevent adrenal insufficiency.
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