BETAMETHASONE

Brand & Generic Names

Betnelan
Betnesol
Celestone
Celestone Phosphate
Celestone Soluspan
Selestoject

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Cortisone drug (adrenal corticosteroid)

Uses

• Reduces inflammation caused by many different medical problems.
• Treatment for some allergic diseases, blood disorders, kidney diseases, asthma and emphysema.
• Replaces corticosteroid deficiencies.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet, extended-release tablet, syrup or liquid--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.
Inhaler--Follow label instructions.

When to take:
At the same times each day. Take once-a-day or once-every-other- day doses in mornings.

If you forget a dose:
Several-doses-per-day prescription--Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
Once-a-day dose or less--Wait for next dose. Double this dose.

What drug does:
Decreases inflammatory responses.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 4 days.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Headache, convulsions, heart failure.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Acne, poor wound healing, thirst, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, gaseousness, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, headache, cough, dizziness, hoarseness, appetite loss.

Infrequent:

• Bloody or black, tarry stool; various infections; swallowing difficulty; hives.
• Blurred vision, halos around lights, sore throat, fever, abdominal pain.
• Mood changes, insomnia, fatigue, restlessness, frequent urination, weight gain, round face, weakness, menstrual irregularities, dry mouth, euphoria, nosebleed.

Rare:

• Irregular heartbeat.
• Rash, TB recurrence.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any cortisone drug.
• You have tuberculosis or fungus infection.
• You have herpes infection of eyes, lips or genitals.
• You have bone disease, thyroid disease, colitis, stomach ulcer, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, liver or kidney disease, diverticulitis, glaucoma, heart disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medicine.
• If you have had tuberculosis.
• If you have an infection, congestive heart failure, diabetes, peptic ulcer, glaucoma, underactive thyroid, high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, blood clots in legs or lungs.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. Likely to aggravate edema, diabetes or ulcers. Likely to cause cataracts and osteoporosis (softening of the bones).

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Retards growth in children.
• Possible glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, fragile bones and thin skin.
• Functional dependence.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood pressure, stools for blood, serum electrolytes.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:

• Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
• Drug affects your response to surgery, illness, injury or stress for up to 2 years after discontinuing. Inform doctor.

Others:

• Avoid immunizations if possible.
• Your resistance to infection is less while taking this medicine.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Amphotericin B	Potassium depletion.
Anticholinergics*	Possible glaucoma.
Anticoagulants,	Decreased anti-
oral*	coagulant effect.
Anticonvulsants,	Decreased beta-
hydantoin*	methasone effect.
Antidiabetics,	Decreased anti-
oral*	diabetic effect.
Antihistamines*	Decreased betamethasone effect.
Aspirin	Increased betamethasone effect.
Barbiturates*	Decreased betamethasone effect.
	Oversedation.
Beta-adrenergic	Decreased beta-
blockers*	methasone effect.
Butmetanide	Potassium depletion.
Chloral hydrate	Decreased betamethasone effect.
Chlorthalidone	Potassium depletion.
Cholestyramine	Decreased betamethasone effect.
Cholinergics*	Decreased cholinergic effect.
Colestipol	Decreased betamethasone effect.
Contraceptives,	Increased beta-
oral*	methasone effect.
Cyclosporine	May increase cyclosporine effect.
Digitalis	Dangerous potassium
preparations*	depletion. Possible digitalis
	toxicity.
Diuretics, thiazide*	Potassium depletion.
Ephedrine	Decreased betamethasone effect.
Estrogens*	Increased betamethasone effect.
Ethacrynic acid	Potassium depletion.
Furosemide	Potassium depletion.
Glutethimide	Decreased betamethasone effect.
Indapamide	Possible excessive potassium loss,
	causing dangerous heartbeat
	irregularity.
Indomethacin	Increased betamethasone effect.
Insulin	Decreased insulin effect.
Isoniazid	Decreased isoniazid effect.
Oxyphenbutazone	Possible ulcers.
Phenylbutazone	Possible ulcers.
Phenytoin	Decreased betamethasone effect.
Potassium supplements*	Decreased potassium effect.
Rifampin	Decreased betamethasone effect.
Sympathomimetics*	Possible glaucoma.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Risk of stomach ulcers.
Beverages:	No proven problems.
Cocaine:	Overstimulation. Avoid.
Foods:	No proven problems.
Marijuana:	Decreased immunity.
Tobacco:	Increased betamethasone effect.
	Possible toxicity.