Uses
This medication is used in a variety of conditions such as allergic disorders, arthritis, gout, blood diseases, breathing problems, certain cancers, eye diseases, intestinal disorders, and collagen and skin diseases. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of betamethasone, especially if it is to be injected near your spine (epidural). Rare but serious side effects may occur with epidural use.
Betamethasone is known as a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). It works by decreasing your body's immune response to these diseases and reduces symptoms such as swelling.
How To Use
Depending on your product, this medication may be given by injecting into different locations such as a muscle (intramuscularly), a skin lesion (intradermally), or a joint (intra-articularly). Injections are usually given by a trained healthcare professional. However, if your injections are intramuscular, your healthcare professional may teach you how to give yourself injections. If any of the information is unclear, consult your healthcare professional.
The injection site, schedule, dosage, and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not inject this medication into a vein (intravenously) or into the spine (epidurally). This medication is not recommended for injection around/into the eye or certain parts of the nose due to the risk for blindness or damage to the eye(s). Consult your doctor for more details.
Use this medication and follow the dosing schedule exactly as directed by your doctor to get the most benefit from it. Do not change your dose or use this medication for a longer time than prescribed. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your treatment.
Wash your hands with soap and water before using this medication. Before using, check this product visually for clumpy particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.
Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin.
Shake vial before use to evenly disperse the suspension. Inject the prescribed dose immediately after withdrawing it into the syringe to avoid settling of the medication in the syringe.
Learn how to store and discard syringes, needles, and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist for more information.
If you have been using this medication for a long time, do not suddenly stop it without your doctor's approval. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, and extreme tiredness.
If you have received an injection into a joint, be careful how much stress you put on that joint, even if it is feeling better. Ask your doctor how much you can move the joint while it is healing.
Tell your doctor if your condition gets worse or if you have new symptoms.
Side Effects
Redness or pain at the injection site, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or weight gain may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.
This medication may make your blood sugar rise, which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. If you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough).
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- weakness
- puffy face
- unusual weight gain
- thinning skin
- bone pain
- menstrual period changes
- mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, agitation)
- easy bruising/bleeding
- vision problems
- swelling ankles/feet/hands
- fast/slow/irregular heartbeat
If you have received an injection of this medication into the joint, temporary discomfort of the joint may occur. Tell your doctor right away if you have fever, increased/severe pain with swelling of the joint, weakness in the joint, or decreased range of motion in the joint.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:
- symptoms of stomach/intestinal bleeding (such as stomach/abdominal pain, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds)
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before using betamethasone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other corticosteroids (such as methylprednisolone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- bleeding problems
- blood clots
- bone loss (osteoporosis)
- diabetes
- certain eye diseases (such as cataracts, glaucoma, herpes infection of the eye)
- heart problems (such as heart failure, recent heart attack)
- high blood pressure
- current/past infections (such as joint infections and infections caused by fungus, herpes, tuberculosis, threadworm)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- mental/mood conditions (such as psychosis, anxiety, depression)
- stomach/intestinal problems (such as diverticulitis, ulcer, ulcerative colitis)
- seizures
- thyroid problems
- mineral imbalance
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication.
This medication may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.
Tell your health care professional that you are using betamethasone before having any immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).
This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol while using this medicine may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
This medication may slow down a child's growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child's height and growth can be checked.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may rarely harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who use corticosteroid medications for a long time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug are:
- aldesleukin
- desmopressin
- mifepristone
- other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen, "blood thinners" such as warfarin/dabigatran)
Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when used with this medication. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
In adults, this medication can increase the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) if used for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk, and about available treatments for osteoporosis. Lifestyle changes that help promote healthy bones include doing weight-bearing exercise, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating well-balanced meals that contain adequate calcium and vitamin D. You may also need to take calcium and vitamin D supplements. To help prevent osteoporosis later in life, encourage children to exercise and eat a healthy diet (including calcium).
Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood counts, blood glucose/mineral levels, blood pressure, bone density tests, height/weight measurements, eye exams, x-rays) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you use this medication for longer periods, you should wear or carry identification stating that you are using it.
Missed Dose
It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
