Betamethasone

Indications

Asthma Rheumatoid Arthritis Allergy

Bet-A is used for suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders. These include rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid carditis, severe hypersensitivity reactions, bronchial asthma and inflammatory skin disorders. It is also used for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and for ulceration of the ear, eye, nose and mouth.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Corticosteroids work by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor, which switches off pro-inflammatory signals while switching on anti-inflammatory ones. Betamethasone phosphate acts only briefly, since the body quickly converts it to betamethasone. Corticosteroids have a wide therapeutic window: doses may need to be many times higher than what the body normally produces on its own. Anyone taking a corticosteroid should be counselled about the risk of suppressing the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and about becoming more prone to infections.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy category C. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit is judged to outweigh the potential risk to the unborn baby. Safety data for breastfeeding mothers is not available.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: The lowest dosage that produces an acceptable result should be used. Adult Dosage: The usual range is 0.5 to 5 mg daily. The dose depends on the disease, its severity, and the clinical response obtained. The following regimens are for guidance only, and divided dosing is usually employed. Short term treatment: 2 to 3 mg daily for the first few days, then the daily dosage is reduced by 0.25 or 0.50 mg every two to five days, depending on the response. Rheumatoid arthritis: 0.5 to 2 mg daily. For maintenance therapy, the lowest effective dosage is used. Child Dosage: A proportion of the adult dosage may be used (for example, 75% at twelve years, 50% at seven years, and 25% at one year), but clinical factors must be given due consideration. Or as directed by the physician. Use in the elderly: The common adverse effects of systemic corticosteroids may carry more serious consequences in old age, so close clinical supervision is required to avoid life threatening reactions.

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Indications

Pharmacology

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Dosage Reference

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

Key Interactions