Betamethasone Acetate, Betamethasone Sodium ... Health Article

Generic name(s):

Betamethasone Acetate, Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate Suspension for injection

Brand name(s):

Adbeon, Betamethasone Acetate, Betamethasone Dipropionate Powder, Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate, Betamethasone Valerate Powder, Celestone, Celestone Soluspan, Selestoject

What is this medicine?

BETAMETHASONE (bay ta METH a sone) is a corticosteroid. It helps to reduce swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. It is used to treat asthma, allergies, arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. It is also used for other conditions, like blood disorders and diseases of the adrenal glands.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• blood clotting problems
• Cushing's syndrome
• diabetes
• heart problems or disease
• high blood pressure
• infection like chickenpox, fungus, herpes, measles, or tuberculosis
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• mental problems
• myasthenia gravis
• osteoporosis
• seizures
• stomach, intestinal disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to betamethasone, corticosteroids, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle, joint, lesion, or other tissue. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• mifepristone
• radiopaque contrast agents

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• aspirin
• vaccines
• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. If you are taking this medicine over a prolonged period, carry an identification card with your name and address, the type and dose of your medicine, and your doctor's name and address.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Stay away from people who are sick. Tell your doctor or health care professional if you are around anyone with measles or chickenpox.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you have taken this medicine within the last twelve months.

Ask your doctor or health care professional about your diet. You may need to lower the amount of salt you eat.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

You may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines while you are taking this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have taken this medicine before receiving any vaccine.