Medicines/Generics/Betamethasone

Betamethasone

Generic medicine reference

Not yet clinically reviewed

This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.

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Overview

Betamethasone is a highly potent steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Betamethasone topical (for the skin) is used to treat the inflammation and itching caused by a number of skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis . Betamethasone topical is available in a cream, gel, ointment, lotion, foam, or spray. Topical betamethasone formulations are usually formulated with one of two salts: betamethasone dipropionate or betamethasone valerate. The potency of betamethasone formulations can vary depending on which salt is used – dipropionate or valerate. Betamethasone dipropionate contains two esters - this makes it more fat soluble and increases its ability to penetrate the skin better. This makes it more potent than betamethasone valerate, which only contains one ester. The absorption and potency of a topical steroid can also vary depending on the vehicle used to deliver the steroid (such as a cream, gel, lotion, or ointment) and if it has been augmented or not. Augmentation refers to enhancing the vehicle with a substance, such as propylene glycol, to allow it to penetrate the skin more quickly and work faster. For example, augmented betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment or gel is a Class 1 (highly potent) topical steroid, but the augmented lotion or cream and regular betamethasone dipropionate ointment is Class 2.

Indications

Contraindications

You should not use betamethasone if you are allergic to it. To make sure betamethasone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: skin irritation after using steroid medicine; thinning of the skin where you will apply betamethasone; cataracts or glaucoma ; diabetes; liver disease; adrenal gland problems; or any type of skin infection . It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks. If you apply betamethasone to your chest, avoid areas that may come into contact with the baby's mouth. Do not use betamethasone on a child without a doctor's advice. Children can absorb larger amounts of this medicine through the skin and may be more likely to have side effects. Diprolene is not approved for use by anyone younger than 13 years old. Sernivo and Luxiq are not approved for anyone younger than 18 years old.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to betamethasone: hives ; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using betamethasone and call your doctor at once if you have: severe skin irritation where the medicine was applied; or signs of skin infection (swelling, redness, warmth, oozing). Your skin can absorb topical steroid medicine, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body. Stop using betamethasone and call your doctor if you have: blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; slow wound healing, thinning skin, increased body hair; increased thirst or urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; weight gain, puffiness in your face; or muscle weakness, tired feeling, depression , anxiety , feeling irritable. Steroids can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine. Common betamethasone side effects may include: itching, redness, burning, stinging, or blistering of treated skin; skin bruising or shiny appearance; or folliculitis (redness or crusting around your hair follicles). This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Do not use betamethasone longer than you have been told to by your doctor. Use care when using on a large part of the skin. Talk with your doctor. Do not use to treat diaper rash or redness. Avoid applying betamethasone cream, gel, ointment, lotion, foam, or spray to the diaper area. Different brands of betamethasone may be for use in different ages of children. Talk with the doctor before using betamethasone cream, gel, ointment, lotion, foam, or spray on a child. If you are breastfeeding, do not apply betamethasone cream, gel, ointment, lotion, foam, or spray to the nipple or the area around it. Betamethasone may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk to your doctor.

High Risk Groups

Adult Dosage

0.05 to 0.1 % (0.075 (0.075)) 8 hourly Topical — At affected area only . 0.1 % (0.1 (0.1)) 4 hourly Otic — Frequency may be increased upto 12 times/day if needed. 0.5 to 5 mg (2.8 (2.75)) 24 hourly PO — 4 to 20 mg (12 (12)) As recommended. IV — At affected area only .

Child Dosage

0.005 to 0.05 mg/kg (0.028 (0.0275)) 12 hourly Oral — 0.1 % (0.1 (0.1)) 8 hourly Topical — 0.2 mg/kg (0.2 (0.2)) 8 hourly IV —

Neonatal Dosage

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Drug Interactions

Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products .

Storage

Inj Store Below 30°C. Do not Freeze. Protect from Sunlight. Tab, Oint, Gel, Cream, Lotion, Oral Soln Store in a well closed container, at room temperature, Below 30°C or in refrigerator. Do not Freeze. Protect from Sunlight.

Available Brands in Pakistan

96 active brands listed alphabetically.

Betamethasone

Available Brands in Pakistan

ANACOR

BENATE

BEPRONATE

BETACIN

BETACIN-N

BETACIN PLUS

BETACLINE

BETACLINE-S

BETACORT

BETACORT

BETACORT-N

BETADERM

BETADERM-N

BETADERM-NM

BETADIP

BETADROP-N

BETAGENIC

BETAGENT

BETAMET

BETAMETHASONE

BETAMETHASONE

BETAMYCIN

BETANATE

BETAREX

BETAREX-N

BETASALIC

BETASALY

BETASAN

BETASOL

BETASOL

BETASOL N

BETATEK

BETATEK-N

BETAVAL

BETAVAL-N

BET-C

BETNELAN

BETNESOL

BETNESOL-N

BETNOSONE

BETNOVATE

BETNOVATE-N

BEVATE

B-GEN

BIOZON

B.M.T.

CALCIBET

CALPSOR-B

CENOVATE-N

DAIVOBET

DANSONE

DERMOGENT

DERMOSALIC

DERVIT-B

DE-SONE

DIMED

DIODERM

DIODERM

DIPROCORT

DIPROCORT G

DIPROCORT-S

DIPROSAN

DIPSONE

DYNOVATE

EFFIDEX

EFFIGENTA

ETNESOL N

GENTICYN-B

LOTION.BEVATE

MYCONA-GB

NOVASALIC

ORBETAM

ORBETAM-N

POTRIOL-B

PRO

PROBETA

PROBETA-N

PRO ONE