Betamethasone

Information about Betamethasone

Betamethasone uses

Betamethasone is used in the treatment of allergic conditions.

How betamethasone works

Betamethasone is a steroid which works by blocking the production of certain chemical messengers in the body that cause inflammation (redness and swelling) and allergies.

Common side effects of betamethasone

Weight gain, Mood changes, Behavioral changes, Skin infection, Hair follicle inflammation, Itching, Burning sensation, Cataract, Increased glucose level in blood, Bruising, Headache, Dizziness, Weakness, Fatigue, Visual disturbance, Nausea, Altered menstrual cycle, Impaired wound healing, Dryness, Stretch marks, Hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth), Skin atrophy, Miliaria (sweat rash), Perioral dermatitis, Allergic contact dermatitis, Hypopigmentation, Local site pain, Angioedema (swelling of deeper layers of skin), Decreased potassium level in blood, Hypersensitivity, Blindness, Pulmonary edema, Rebound effect, Cushing syndrome, Glycosuria, Glaucoma, Slow heart rate, Cardiac arrest, Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats), Cushingoid syndrome, Perforated peptic ulcer, Pathologic fracture of long bones, Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, Charcot-like arthropathy, Steroid myopathy

Available Medicine for Betamethasone

  • ₹15 to ₹26
    Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd
    5 variant(s)
  • ₹22 to ₹24
    Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹10
    Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd
    1 variant(s)
  • ₹4 to ₹16
    Ind Swift Laboratories Ltd
    4 variant(s)
  • ₹17 to ₹82
    Wallace Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹6 to ₹12
    Comed Chemicals Ltd
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹3 to ₹6
    Unimarck Pharma India Ltd
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹53 to ₹160
    Lupin Ltd
    3 variant(s)
  • ₹4
    BestoChem Formulations India Ltd
    1 variant(s)
  • ₹5 to ₹11
    Unison Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
    2 variant(s)

Expert advice for Betamethasone

  • Betamethasone can be taken with or without food, but try to have it at same time every day.
  • Do not use it more often or for longer than advised by your doctor.
  • Betamethasone can make it harder for you to fight off infections. Notify your doctor if you have any signs of infection such as a fever or sore throat.
  • Side effects such as mood changes or stomach problems can happen when you start taking Betamethasone. Inform your doctor if this bothers you.
  • Do not stop taking Betamethasone suddenly without talking to your doctor first as it may worsen your symptoms.

Frequently asked questions for Betamethasone

Betamethasone

Q. How does Betamethasone work?
Betamethasone works by decreasing the inflammation caused by allergies. It reduces inflammation by blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause allergic symptoms such as swelling, redness, and pain.
Q. Is Betamethasone safe to use?
Betamethasone is safe to use when used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to Betamethasone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Furthermore, you should not take Betamethasone if you have an infection and have not yet started medicine (e.g., antibiotics) to treat it.
Q. Does Betamethasone cause hair loss?
No, Betamethasone is not known to cause hair loss. In fact, it may cause an increase in body hair growth (especially in females) on long-term use. Talk to your doctor if you get excessive hair growth on your body while taking Betamethasone.
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Q. Does Betamethasone cause weight gain?
Yes, Betamethasone can cause weight gain, especially when taken for a long time or repeated short courses on high doses. Please consult your doctor if you experience weight gain after taking Betamethasone.
Q. Is Betamethasone over the counter medicine?
No, Betamethasone is not an over the counter (OTC) medicine. It is available only when prescribed by a doctor.
Q. Is Betamethasone a steroid?
Yes, Betamethasone belongs to a group of medicines called steroids also known as corticosteroids. Corticosteroids occur naturally in the body. They maintain health and well being. An increase in corticosteroids levels helps in treating various illnesses involving inflammation (redness, tenderness, heat and swelling) in the body. Along with these, many different conditions such as asthma, severe allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases, etc. can be improved by the use of Betamethasone.
Q. What if I forget to take a dose of Betamethasone?
If you forget a dose of Betamethasone, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose at the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.

Content on this page was last updated on 30 October, 2022, by Dr. Varun Gupta (MD Pharmacology)