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| Pronunciation |
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 (bay
ta METH a
sone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Alphatrex®; Betatrex®;
Beta-Val®; Celestone®; Celestone®
Soluspan®; Diprolene®; Diprolene® AF;
Diprosone®; Luxiq®; Maxivate®; Psorion®;
Teladar®; Valisone® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Betnesol®[Disodium Phosphate]
(Canada); Diprolene® Glycol [Dipropionate]
(Canada); Occlucort® (Canada); Rhoprolene (Canada); Rhoprosone
(Canada); Selestoject®[Sodium Phosphate]
(Canada); Taro-Sone® (Canada); Topilene® (Canada);
Topisone®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Corticosteroid, Oral; Corticosteroid, Parenteral; Corticosteroid,
Topical |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to betamethasone or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any fungal infections that attack the whole
body.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used for the treatment of inflammation areas in the
body. This can include severe allergies, skin problems, asthma, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, organ transplantation, leukemias/lymphomas, brain
swelling, ulcerative colitis, sarcoidosis, spinal cord injuries, Addison's
disease, and arthritis.
- This medicine is used in many diseases where the anti-inflammatory or
immunosuppressant properties are needed. Talk with healthcare provider.
- It is also used for a variety of skin
conditions.
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| How does it work? |
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- Betamethasone is a man-made form of an important chemical produced in
the body.
- Betamethasone puts down the body's response to the cause of the
allergy. It reduces swelling, redness, itching, and other symptoms of allergy.
- It also decreases the body's reactions. Sometimes these reactions are
harmful.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Oral:
- Take with food. Take in the morning if you are taking this medicine
once a day.
- A liquid (syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who
have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and
after medicine is given.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Lungs:
- For inhaling (puffing) only.
- Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Using the
inhaler the right way is very important. It can get more medicine to the lungs.
- Shake well first.
- Spacer can be used with inhaler for easier delivery.
- Skin:
- Do not take by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes
(may burn).
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Clean affected area before use.
- Use a small amount over the area as a light film. Rub in gently.
- Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) over the area
unless told to do so by healthcare provider.
- To use on the scalp, part your hair. Apply medicine to affected area.
Rub in gently. Let it dry. You may wash your hair as usual but not right after
using
medicine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Oral:
- Wear medical alert identification if you have asthma, lung disease, or
are an allergy sufferer or if you are going to be on this medicine longer than
3-4 weeks.
- Unless healthcare provider told you to stop, it is dangerous to run
out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol increases
risk of stomach irritation and ulcers.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
Can cause ulcers.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart. Salt and water can
accumulate. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you are diabetic. Diabetic medicine may need
increasing. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may
increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this
medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if currently being treated for any
infections.
- All forms:
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Oral:
- Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
- High blood sugar. Can cause diabetes mellitus while on medicine,
usually reverses when stopped.
- For women, menstrual changes. Premenopausal women may not have a
period. Postmenopausal women may have bleeding or spotting.
- Weakened bones. Take calcium and vitamin D as recommended by
healthcare provider.
- Weight gain. Salt and water gain or increased hunger.
- Muscle weakness. You may notice it in your thighs and upper arms.
- Skin changes, including pimples, stretch marks, slow healing, and hair
growth.
- Cataracts, glaucoma with long-term use.
- Changes in fat distribution. Fat stores can move to face and back.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Skin:
- Burning, itching,
dryness.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Oral:
- If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
- Watch for swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain,
exercise tolerance. If any of these worsen, talk with healthcare provider.
- Report a 3-5 pound weight gain.
- Monitor blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider. Signs of high
blood sugar include many trips to the bathroom, thirst, and weight loss.
- Watch for signs of infection.
- Lungs:
- If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
- Watch for changes in breathing. Is breathing better, worse, or about
the same?
- Check peak flow if you have asthma.
- Skin:
- Watch for change in condition. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater
than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in
color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or
pain.
- For females, vaginal discharge or itching, or menstrual changes. This
includes lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- Feeling weak, tired, irritable, trembling, having rapid heartbeats,
confusion, sweating, dizziness, especially if you missed a dose or recently
stopped this medicine.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
- Skin:
- Burning, swelling, or
redness.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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