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Action/Kinetics:
Causes low degree of sodium and water retention, as well as potassium depletion. The injectable form contains both rapid-acting and repository forms of betamethasone (mixture of betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate). Long-acting.
t
1/2: over 300 min.
Additional Uses:
Prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.
Contraindications:
Not recommended for replacement therapy in any acute or chronic adrenal cortical insufficiency because it does not have strong sodium-retaining effects.
Special Concerns:
Safe use during pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
How Supplied:
Betamethasone:
Syrup: 0.6 mg/5 mL;
Tablet: 0.6 mg.
Betamethasone dipropionate:
Cream: 0.05%;
Lotion: 0.05%;
Ointment: 0.05%;
Spray: 0.1%.
Betamethasone sodium phosphate:
Injection: 3 mg/mL, 4 mg/mL.
Betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate:
Injection: 3 mg/mL.
Betamethasone valerate:
Cream: 0.1%;
Foam: 0.12%;
Lotion: 0.1%;
Ointment: 0.1%
Dosage
Betamethasone
?Syrup, Tablets
0.6-7.2 mg/day.
Betamethasone sodium phosphate
?IV, Intra-articular, Intralesional, Soft Tissue Injection
Initial: up to 9 mg/day;
then, adjust dosage at minimal level to reduce symptoms.
Betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate
(contains 3 mg/mL each of the acetate and sodium phosphate)
?IM
Initial: 0.5-9 mg/day (dose ranges are
1/3-
1/2 the PO dose given q 12 hr.)
?Intra-articular, Intrabursal, Intradermal, Intralesional
Bursitis, peritendinitis, tenosynovitis.
1 mL.
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
0.25-2 mL, depending on size of the joint.
Foot disorders, bursitis.
0.25-0.5 mL under heloma durum or heloma molle; 0.5 mL under calcaneal spur or over hallux rigidus or digiti quinti varus. Tenosynovitis or periostitis of cuboid: 0.5 mL.
Acute gouty arthritis.
0.5-1 mL.
?Intradermal
0.2 mL/cm
2 not to exceed 1 mL/week.
Betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone valerate
?Topical Aerosol, Cream, Foam, Lotion, Ointment
Apply sparingly to affected areas and rub in lightly.
