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| Trade names | Celestone, Eleuphrat, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a682799 |
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| Routes of administration | By mouth,topical,intramuscular |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Metabolism | LiverCYP3A4 |
| Eliminationhalf-life | 36-54 hours |
| Excretion | Kidney (in urine) |
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| CompTox Dashboard(EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.206 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C22H29FO5 |
| Molar mass | 392.467 g·mol−1 |
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Betamethasone is asteroid medication.[3] It is used for a number of diseases includingrheumatic disorders such asrheumatoid arthritis andsystemic lupus erythematosus, skin diseases such asdermatitis andpsoriasis, allergic conditions such asasthma andangioedema,preterm labor to speed the development of the baby's lungs,Crohn's disease, cancers such asleukemia, and along withfludrocortisone foradrenocortical insufficiency, among others.[3] It can be taken by mouth,injected into a muscle, or applied to the skin, typically in cream, lotion, or liquid forms.[3][4]
Serious side effects include an increased risk of infection, muscle weakness,severe allergic reactions, andpsychosis.[3] Long-term use may cause adrenal insufficiency.[3] Stopping the medication suddenly following long-term use may be dangerous.[3] The cream commonly results inincreased hair growth and skin irritation.[4] Betamethasone belongs to theglucocorticoid class of medication.[3] It is astereoisomer ofdexamethasone, the two compounds differing only in the spatial configuration of themethyl group at position 16 (seesteroid nomenclature).[5]
Betamethasone was patented in 1958, and approved for medical use in the United States in 1961.[3][6] It is on theWorld Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7] It is available as ageneric medication.[3] In 2023, it was the 280th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 700,000 prescriptions.[8][9]
Betamethasone is acorticosteroid that is available as a pill, by injection, and as an ointment, cream, lotion, gel, or aerosol (spray) for the skin, and a foam for the scalp.[10] When given by injection,anti-inflammatory effects begin in around two hours and last for seven days.[3]
It is used as a topical cream to relieve skin irritation, such as itching and flaking fromeczema. It is used as a treatment for localpsoriasis, asbetamethasone dipropionate andsalicylic acid, or as the combinationcalcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate.[citation needed]Betamethasone sodium phosphate is used orally and viainjection with the same indications as othersteroids. Many betamethasone-basedpharmaceuticals include the steroid as thevalerate ester.[citation needed]
In a randomized controlled trial betamethasone was shown to reduce some of theataxia (poor coordination) symptoms associated withataxia telangiectasia (A-T) by 28-31%.[11]
Betamethasone is also used to stimulate fetal maturation of the lungs and cerebral blood vessels.[3]
A cream with 0.05% betamethasone appears effective in treatingphimosis in boys,[12] and often averts the need forcircumcision.[13][14][15] Longer-term research is needed on this treatment method.[12] This approach has replaced circumcision as the preferred treatment method for some physicians in theBritishNational Health Service.[16][17]
Betamethasone crosses the placenta.[3]
When injected into theepidural space or the spine, it may cause serious side effects like loss of vision, stroke, and paralysis.[19]
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Betamethasone is available in a number of compound forms:betamethasone dipropionate (branded as Diprosone, Diprolene, Celestamine, Procort (in Pakistan), and others), betamethasone sodium phosphate (branded as Bentelan in Italy) andbetamethasone valerate (branded as Audavate, Betnovate, Celestone,Fucibet, and others).[citation needed] In the United States and Canada, betamethasone is mixed withclotrimazole and sold as Lotrisone and Lotriderm. It is also available in combination withsalicylic acid (branded as Diprosalic) for using in psoriatic skin conditions. In some countries, it is also sold mixed with bothclotrimazole andgentamicin to add an antibacterial agent to the mix.[citation needed]
Betamethasone sodium phosphate mixed withbetamethasone acetate is available in the United States as Celestone Soluspan.[20]
