Betamethasone

Betamethasone Brand Names

Adbeon | Alphatrex | Beta 1 Kit | Beta Derm | Betanate | Betatrex | Beta-Val | Celestone | Del-Beta | Diprolene | Diprolene AF | Diprosone | Luxiq Foam | Maxivate | Sernivo | Valisone

What is Betamethasone

Betamethasone and its derivatives, betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate, are synthetic glucocorticoids used as antiinflammatory or immunosuppressive agents.

The drug has little mineralocorticoid activity and should be used with a mineralocorticoid to manage adrenal insufficiency.

Topical derivatives of the drug, including betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone valerate, are also available and are used for treating inflammation due to corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses of the skin and/or scalp.

Topical betamethasone preparations are considered medium (betamethasone valerate) or high-to-very high (betamethasone dipropionate) potency.

Betamethasone was first approved by the FDA in 1961.

Indications

  1. acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
  2. Addison’s disease
  3. adrenocortical insufficiency
  4. adrenogenital syndrome
  5. allergic conjunctivitis
  6. allergic rhinitis
  7. alopecia
  8. anaphylaxis
  9. angioedema
  10. ankylosing spondylitis
  11. anterior segment inflammation
  12. asthma
  13. atopic dermatitis
  14. berylliosis
  15. bursitis
  16. chorioretinitis
  17. chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  18. Churg-Strauss syndrome
  19. congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  20. contact dermatitis
  21. corneal ulcer
  22. Crohn’s disease
  23. cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)
  24. dermatitis herpetiformis
  25. dermatomyositis
  26. discoid lupus erythematosus
  27. eczema
  28. endophthalmitis
  29. epicondylitis
  30. erythroblastopenia
  31. exfoliative dermatitis
  32. gouty arthritis
  33. graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
  34. granuloma annulare
  35. Graves’ ophthalmopathy
  36. hemolytic anemia
  37. herpes zoster ocular infection
  38. Hodgkin lymphoma
  39. hypercalcemia
  40. hypoplastic anemia
  41. immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
  42. iritis
  43. juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)/juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
  44. keloids
  45. keratitis
  46. laryngeal edema prophylaxis
  47. lichen planus
  48. lichen simplex
  49. Loeffler’s syndrome
  50. mixed connective tissue disease
  51. multiple myeloma
  52. multiple sclerosis
  53. myasthenia gravis
  54. mycosis fungoides
  55. nasal polyps
  56. necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum
  57. neonatal respiratory distress syndrome prophylaxis
  58. nephrotic syndrome
  59. non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
  60. optic neuritis
  61. osteoarthritis
  62. pemphigus
  63. perennial allergies
  64. pityriasis rosea
  65. pneumonitis
  66. polyarteritis nodosa
  67. polychondritis
  68. polymyositis
  69. postoperative ocular inflammation
  70. proteinuria
  71. pruritus
  72. psoriasis
  73. psoriatic arthritis
  74. pulmonary edema
  75. rheumatic carditis
  76. rheumatoid arthritis
  77. Rhus dermatitis
  78. sarcoidosis
  79. seasonal allergies
  80. seborrheic dermatitis
  81. serum sickness
  82. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  83. systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  84. temporal arteritis
  85. tenosynovitis
  86. thrombocytopenia
  87. thyroiditis
  88. trichinosis
  89. tuberculosis infection
  90. ulcerative colitis
  91. urticaria
  92. uveitis
  93. vernal keratoconjunctivitis
  94. Wegener’s granulomatosis

Side Effects

  1. abdominal pain
  2. acne vulgaris
  3. acneiform rash
  4. adrenocortical insufficiency
  5. alopecia
  6. amenorrhea
  7. amnesia
  8. anaphylactic shock
  9. anaphylactoid reactions
  10. anemia
  11. angina
  12. angioedema
  13. anorexia
  14. anxiety
  15. appetite stimulation
  16. arrhythmia exacerbation
  17. arthralgia
  18. arthropathy
  19. avascular necrosis
  20. blurred vision
  21. bone fractures
  22. bradycardia
  23. candidiasis
  24. cardiac arrest
  25. cardiomyopathy
  26. cataracts
  27. conjunctivitis
  28. constipation
  29. contact dermatitis
  30. Cushing’s syndrome
  31. delirium
  32. depression
  33. diabetes mellitus
  34. diaphoresis
  35. diarrhea
  36. dizziness
  37. dysmenorrhea
  38. ecchymosis
  39. edema
  40. EEG changes
  41. elevated hepatic enzymes
  42. emotional lability
  43. erythema
  44. esophageal ulceration
  45. euphoria
  46. exfoliative dermatitis
  47. exophthalmos
  48. fever
  49. fluid retention
  50. folliculitis
  51. gastritis
  52. GI bleeding
  53. GI perforation
  54. glossitis
  55. glycosuria
  56. growth inhibition
  57. hallucinations
  58. headache
  59. heart failure
  60. hepatomegaly
  61. hiccups
  62. hirsutism
  63. hypercholesterolemia
  64. hyperglycemia
  65. hypernatremia
  66. hypertension
  67. hyperthyroidism
  68. hypertrichosis
  69. hypocalcemia
  70. hypokalemia
  71. hypotension
  72. hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) suppression
  73. hypothyroidism
  74. immunosuppression
  75. impaired cognition
  76. impaired wound healing
  77. increased intracranial pressure
  78. infection
  79. injection site reaction
  80. insomnia
  81. irritability
  82. lethargy
  83. lupus-like symptoms
  84. maculopapular rash
  85. malaise
  86. mania
  87. memory impairment
  88. menstrual irregularity
  89. metabolic alkalosis
  90. miliaria
  91. myalgia
  92. myocardial infarction
  93. myopathy
  94. nausea
  95. neuritis
  96. neutropenia
  97. ocular hypertension
  98. ocular infection
  99. optic neuritis
  100. osteopenia
  101. osteoporosis
  102. palpitations
  103. pancreatitis
  104. papilledema
  105. paresthesias
  106. peptic ulcer
  107. perineal pain
  108. peripheral neuropathy
  109. petechiae
  110. phlebitis
  111. physiological dependence
  112. postmenopausal bleeding
  113. pruritus
  114. pseudotumor cerebri
  115. psychosis
  116. pulmonary edema
  117. purpura
  118. rash
  119. restlessness
  120. retinopathy
  121. seizures
  122. sinus tachycardia
  123. skin atrophy
  124. skin hyperpigmentation
  125. skin hypopigmentation
  126. skin irritation
  127. skin ulcer
  128. sodium retention
  129. striae
  130. stroke
  131. syncope
  132. telangiectasia
  133. tendon rupture
  134. thromboembolism
  135. thrombosis
  136. tolerance
  137. urticaria
  138. vasculitis
  139. vertigo
  140. visual impairment
  141. vomiting
  142. weakness
  143. weight gain
  144. weight loss
  145. withdrawal
  146. xerosis

Monitoring Parameters

  • blood glucose
  • laboratory monitoring not necessary
  • serum potassium

Contraindications

  • abrupt discontinuation
  • acne rosacea
  • acne vulgaris
  • asthma
  • breast-feeding
  • cataracts
  • children
  • corticosteroid hypersensitivity
  • Cushing’s syndrome
  • diabetes mellitus
  • diverticulitis
  • edema
  • epidural administration
  • fistula
  • fungal infection
  • geriatric
  • GI perforation
  • glaucoma
  • growth inhibition
  • head trauma
  • heart failure
  • hepatic disease
  • herpes infection
  • hypertension
  • hyperthyroidism
  • hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) suppression
  • hypothyroidism
  • immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
  • immunosuppression
  • increased intracranial pressure
  • infants
  • infection
  • intravenous administration
  • measles
  • myasthenia gravis
  • myocardial infarction
  • neonates
  • occlusive dressing
  • ocular exposure
  • ocular infection
  • osteoporosis
  • peptic ulcer disease
  • perioral dermatitis
  • peripheral vascular disease
  • pregnancy
  • psychosis
  • renal disease
  • seizure disorder
  • skin abrasion
  • skin atrophy
  • sulfite hypersensitivity
  • surgery
  • thromboembolic disease
  • thyroid disease
  • tuberculosis
  • ulcerative colitis
  • vaccination
  • varicella
  • viral infection
  • visual disturbance

Interactions

  • Abatacept
  • Acetaminophen; Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine
  • Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Magnesium Salicylate; Phenyltoloxamine
  • Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Phenyltoloxamine; Salicylamide
  • Acetaminophen; Chlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
  • Acetaminophen; Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine; Phenyltoloxamine
  • Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
  • Acetaminophen; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
  • Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
  • Acetazolamide
  • Acetohexamide
  • Adalimumab
  • Albiglutide
  • Aldesleukin, IL-2
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Aliskiren; Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Aliskiren; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Alogliptin; Metformin
  • Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors
  • Altretamine
  • Ambenonium Chloride
  • Amifampridine
  • Amiloride; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Aminolevulinic Acid
  • Aminosalicylate sodium, Aminosalicylic acid
  • Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Olmesartan
  • Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Valsartan
  • Amoxicillin; Clarithromycin; Lansoprazole
  • Amoxicillin; Clarithromycin; Omeprazole
  • Amphotericin B
  • Amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex (ABCD)
  • Amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC)
  • Amphotericin B liposomal (LAmB)
  • Antithymocyte Globulin
  • Antitumor antibiotics
  • Argatroban
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi
  • Aspirin, ASA
  • Aspirin, ASA; Butalbital; Caffeine
  • Aspirin, ASA; Butalbital; Caffeine; Codeine
  • Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine; Dihydrocodeine
  • Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine; Orphenadrine
  • Aspirin, ASA; Carisoprodol
  • Aspirin, ASA; Carisoprodol; Codeine
  • Aspirin, ASA; Citric Acid; Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Aspirin, ASA; Dipyridamole
  • Aspirin, ASA; Omeprazole
  • Aspirin, ASA; Oxycodone
  • Aspirin, ASA; Pravastatin
  • Atazanavir
  • Atazanavir; Cobicistat
  • Atenolol; Chlorthalidone
  • Atracurium
  • Atropine; Benzoic Acid; Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate
  • Azathioprine
  • Azilsartan; Chlorthalidone
  • Basiliximab
  • Benazepril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Bendroflumethiazide; Nadolol
  • Benzoic Acid; Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate
  • Bepridil
  • Bismuth Subsalicylate
  • Bismuth Subsalicylate; Metronidazole; Tetracycline
  • Bisoprolol; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Bivalirudin
  • Bortezomib
  • Brompheniramine; Carbetapentane; Phenylephrine
  • Bupropion
  • Bupropion; Naltrexone
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Calcium Carbonate; Magnesium Hydroxide
  • Calcium Carbonate; Risedronate
  • Calcium Carbonate; Simethicone
  • Canagliflozin
  • Canagliflozin; Metformin
  • Candesartan; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Captopril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Carbetapentane; Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine
  • Carbetapentane; Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
  • Carbetapentane; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
  • Carbetapentane; Phenylephrine
  • Carbetapentane; Phenylephrine; Pyrilamine
  • Carbinoxamine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
  • Carbinoxamine; Phenylephrine
  • Carmustine, BCNU
  • Chlophedianol; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
  • Chlorambucil
  • Chloramphenicol
  • Chlorothiazide
  • Chlorpheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Phenylephrine
  • Chlorpheniramine; Dihydrocodeine; Phenylephrine
  • Chlorpheniramine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
  • Chlorpheniramine; Phenylephrine
  • Chlorpropamide
  • Chlorthalidone
  • Chlorthalidone; Clonidine
  • Choline Salicylate; Magnesium Salicylate
  • Cimetidine
  • Cisatracurium
  • Citalopram
  • Clarithromycin
  • Clindamycin
  • Clofarabine
  • Cobicistat
  • Codeine; Phenylephrine; Promethazine
  • Conivaptan
  • Dapagliflozin
  • Dapagliflozin; Metformin
  • Dapagliflozin; Saxagliptin
  • Darunavir
  • Darunavir; Cobicistat
  • Darunavir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir alafenamide
  • Dasabuvir; Ombitasvir; Paritaprevir; Ritonavir
  • Delavirdine
  • Denileukin Diftitox
  • Denosumab
  • Desmopressin
  • Dextran
  • Dextromethorphan; Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
  • Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
  • Digoxin
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors
  • Diphenhydramine; Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
  • Diphenhydramine; Phenylephrine
  • Dofetilide
  • Doxacurium
  • Droperidol
  • Dulaglutide
  • Echinacea
  • Econazole
  • Efalizumab
  • Elvitegravir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Alafenamide
  • Elvitegravir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
  • Empagliflozin
  • Empagliflozin; Linagliptin
  • Empagliflozin; Linagliptin; Metformin
  • Empagliflozin; Metformin
  • Enalapril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Ephedrine
  • Eprosartan; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Ertugliflozin
  • Ertugliflozin; Metformin
  • Ertugliflozin; Sitagliptin
  • Estramustine
  • Estrogens
  • Exenatide
  • Fluconazole
  • Fluoxymesterone
  • Fosamprenavir
  • Fosinopril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate
  • Gemcitabine
  • Gentamicin
  • Glimepiride
  • Glimepiride; Pioglitazone
  • Glimepiride; Rosiglitazone
  • Glipizide
  • Glipizide; Metformin
  • Glyburide
  • Glyburide; Metformin
  • Glycerol Phenylbutyrate
  • Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine
  • Halofantrine
  • Haloperidol
  • Hemin
  • Heparin
  • Hetastarch
  • Hydralazine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Irbesartan
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Lisinopril
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Losartan
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Methyldopa
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Metoprolol
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Moexipril
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Olmesartan
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Propranolol
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Quinapril
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Spironolactone
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Telmisartan
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Triamterene
  • Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Valsartan
  • Hydrocodone; Phenylephrine
  • Hydroxyurea
  • Hylan G-F 20
  • Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate; Sodium Biphosphate
  • Ibritumomab Tiuxetan
  • Idelalisib
  • Incretin Mimetics
  • Indapamide
  • Indinavir
  • Insulin Degludec; Liraglutide
  • Insulin Glargine; Lixisenatide
  • Insulins
  • Interferon Alfa-2a
  • Interferon Alfa-2b
  • Interferon Alfa-2b; Ribavirin
  • Iohexol
  • Iopamidol
  • Isoproterenol
  • Isotretinoin
  • Itraconazole
  • Ketoconazole
  • L-Asparaginase Escherichia coli
  • Levetiracetam
  • Levomethadyl
  • Linagliptin; Metformin
  • Liraglutide
  • Lixisenatide
  • Lomustine, CCNU
  • Loop diuretics
  • Lopinavir; Ritonavir
  • Macimorelin
  • Magnesium Salicylate
  • Mannitol
  • Mecasermin rinfabate
  • Mecasermin, Recombinant, rh-IGF-1
  • Meglitinides
  • Melphalan
  • Mepenzolate
  • Metformin
  • Metformin; Pioglitazone
  • Metformin; Repaglinide
  • Metformin; Rosiglitazone
  • Metformin; Saxagliptin
  • Metformin; Sitagliptin
  • Methacholine
  • Methazolamide
  • Methenamine; Sodium Acid Phosphate
  • Methenamine; Sodium Acid Phosphate; Methylene Blue; Hyoscyamine
  • Methoxsalen
  • Methyclothiazide
  • Metolazone
  • Metyrapone
  • Micafungin
  • Mifepristone
  • Mitoxantrone
  • Mivacurium
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Muromonab-CD3
  • Natalizumab
  • Nateglinide
  • Nefazodone
  • Nelarabine
  • Nelfinavir
  • Neostigmine
  • Neuromuscular blockers
  • Nicardipine
  • Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
  • Ocrelizumab
  • Ombitasvir; Paritaprevir; Ritonavir
  • Ondansetron
  • Oxymetholone
  • Pancuronium
  • Pegaspargase
  • Penicillamine
  • Phenylephrine
  • Phenylephrine; Promethazine
  • Photosensitizing agents (topical)
  • Physostigmine
  • Pimozide
  • Posaconazole
  • Potassium
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Potassium Phosphate; Sodium Phosphate
  • Potassium-sparing diuretics
  • Pramlintide
  • Prasterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA (Dietary Supplements)
  • Prasterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA (FDA-approved)
  • Propranolol
  • Purine analogs
  • Pyridostigmine
  • Quetiapine
  • Rapacuronium
  • Regular Insulin
  • Repaglinide
  • Ritodrine
  • Ritonavir
  • Rituximab
  • Rituximab; Hyaluronidase
  • Rocuronium
  • Salicylates
  • Salsalate
  • Saquinavir
  • Sargramostim, GM-CSF
  • Semaglutide
  • SGLT2 Inhibitors
  • Siponimod
  • Sodium Benzoate; Sodium Phenylacetate
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Sodium Phenylbutyrate
  • Sodium Phosphate Monobasic Monohydrate; Sodium Phosphate Dibasic Anhydrous
  • Somatropin, rh-GH
  • Succinylcholine
  • Sulfonylureas
  • Telbivudine
  • Telithromycin
  • Testosterone
  • Thiazide diuretics
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Thyroid hormones
  • Tipranavir
  • Tobramycin
  • Tolazamide
  • Tolbutamide
  • Tositumomab
  • Tranexamic Acid
  • Tretinoin, ATRA
  • Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative, PPD
  • Tubocurarine
  • Vancomycin
  • Vecuronium
  • Vigabatrin
  • Vinblastine
  • Vincristine Liposomal
  • Voriconazole
  • Vorinostat
  • Warfarin
  • Zafirlukast
  • Zileuton
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