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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
- acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
- Addison’s disease
- adrenocortical insufficiency
- adrenogenital syndrome
- allergic conjunctivitis
- allergic rhinitis
- alopecia
- anaphylaxis
- angioedema
- ankylosing spondylitis
- anterior segment inflammation
- asthma
- atopic dermatitis
- berylliosis
- bursitis
- chorioretinitis
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Churg-Strauss syndrome
- congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- contact dermatitis
- corneal ulcer
- Crohn’s disease
- cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)
- dermatitis herpetiformis
- dermatomyositis
- discoid lupus erythematosus
- eczema
- endophthalmitis
- epicondylitis
- erythroblastopenia
- exfoliative dermatitis
- gouty arthritis
- graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
- granuloma annulare
- Graves’ ophthalmopathy
- hemolytic anemia
- herpes zoster ocular infection
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- hypercalcemia
- hypoplastic anemia
- immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- iritis
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)/juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
- keloids
- keratitis
- laryngeal edema prophylaxis
- lichen planus
- lichen simplex
- Loeffler’s syndrome
- mixed connective tissue disease
- multiple myeloma
- multiple sclerosis
- myasthenia gravis
- mycosis fungoides
- nasal polyps
- necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum
- neonatal respiratory distress syndrome prophylaxis
- nephrotic syndrome
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
- optic neuritis
- osteoarthritis
- pemphigus
- perennial allergies
- pityriasis rosea
- pneumonitis
- polyarteritis nodosa
- polychondritis
- polymyositis
- postoperative ocular inflammation
- proteinuria
- pruritus
- psoriasis
- psoriatic arthritis
- pulmonary edema
- rheumatic carditis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- Rhus dermatitis
- sarcoidosis
- seasonal allergies
- seborrheic dermatitis
- serum sickness
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- temporal arteritis
- tenosynovitis
- thrombocytopenia
- thyroiditis
- trichinosis
- tuberculosis infection
- ulcerative colitis
- urticaria
- uveitis
- vernal keratoconjunctivitis
- Wegener’s granulomatosis
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- acne vulgaris
- acneiform rash
- adrenocortical insufficiency
- alopecia
- amenorrhea
- amnesia
- anaphylactic shock
- anaphylactoid reactions
- anemia
- angina
- angioedema
- anorexia
- anxiety
- appetite stimulation
- arrhythmia exacerbation
- arthralgia
- arthropathy
- avascular necrosis
- blurred vision
- bone fractures
- bradycardia
- candidiasis
- cardiac arrest
- cardiomyopathy
- cataracts
- conjunctivitis
- constipation
- contact dermatitis
- Cushing’s syndrome
- delirium
- depression
- diabetes mellitus
- diaphoresis
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dysmenorrhea
- ecchymosis
- edema
- EEG changes
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- emotional lability
- erythema
- esophageal ulceration
- euphoria
- exfoliative dermatitis
- exophthalmos
- fever
- fluid retention
- folliculitis
- gastritis
- GI bleeding
- GI perforation
- glossitis
- glycosuria
- growth inhibition
- hallucinations
- headache
- heart failure
- hepatomegaly
- hiccups
- hirsutism
- hypercholesterolemia
- hyperglycemia
- hypernatremia
- hypertension
- hyperthyroidism
- hypertrichosis
- hypocalcemia
- hypokalemia
- hypotension
- hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) suppression
- hypothyroidism
- immunosuppression
- impaired cognition
- impaired wound healing
- increased intracranial pressure
- infection
- injection site reaction
- insomnia
- irritability
- lethargy
- lupus-like symptoms
- maculopapular rash
- malaise
- mania
- memory impairment
- menstrual irregularity
- metabolic alkalosis
- miliaria
- myalgia
- myocardial infarction
- myopathy
- nausea
- neuritis
- neutropenia
- ocular hypertension
- ocular infection
- optic neuritis
- osteopenia
- osteoporosis
- palpitations
- pancreatitis
- papilledema
- paresthesias
- peptic ulcer
- perineal pain
- peripheral neuropathy
- petechiae
- phlebitis
- physiological dependence
- postmenopausal bleeding
- pruritus
- pseudotumor cerebri
- psychosis
- pulmonary edema
- purpura
- rash
- restlessness
- retinopathy
- seizures
- sinus tachycardia
- skin atrophy
- skin hyperpigmentation
- skin hypopigmentation
- skin irritation
- skin ulcer
- sodium retention
- striae
- stroke
- syncope
- telangiectasia
- tendon rupture
- thromboembolism
- thrombosis
- tolerance
- urticaria
- vasculitis
- vertigo
- visual impairment
- vomiting
- weakness
- weight gain
- weight loss
- withdrawal
- 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