Betamethasone

Administration

• Type: Corticosteroid
• Dosage Forms:
  • Betamethasone: Oral
  • Betamethasone valerate: 0.1% cream, ointment, lotion, 0.12% foam
  • Betamethasone dipropionate: 0.05% cream, ointment, lotion, spray, gel
• Routes of Administration: PO, topical
• Common Trade Names: Celestone, Celecestone Soluspan, Betaject, Betamethasone IM/PO, Diprolene, Luxiq, Dermabet, Alphatrex, Diprosone, Valnac, BetaVal, Sernivo

Adult Dosing

• Topical: apply to affected area 1-2 times daily, max 50g or 50ml per week

Pediatric Dosing

>12yo, topical: apply to affected area 1-2 times daily, max 50g or 50ml per week

• Syrup: 0.02 to 0.3 mg/kg/day in 3-4 divided doses

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: C
• Lactation risk: infant risk cannot be ruled out
• Renal dosing: no adjustment
• Hepatic dosing: no adjustment

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• Cushing's syndrome, secondary hypocorticolism, HPA axis supression
• Hyperglycemia
• Elevated ICP, glaucoma
• Cataract, cortical blindness
• Stroke, spinal cord infarct, paraplegia, tetraplegia, nerve injury
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Osteoporosis

Common

• Itching, burning, stinging of skin
• Erythema, vesicles
• Atrophic condition of skin
• Folliculitis
• Hypertension
• Depression, euphoria

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 5.6h
• Metabolism: Hepatic
• Excretion: Renal

Mechanism of Action

• Corticosteroid, anti-inflammatory action

See Also

• Corticosteroids
• Topical steroids