Betamethasone is used to relieve inflammation and treat a wide variety of diseases such as certain allergic conditions, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, and ankles), lupus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body), ulcerative colitis (a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the linings of the large intestine and rectum) and Crohn's disease (a long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that usually affects the small intestine and colon).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Betamethasone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition and your response to the medication.
Betamethasone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have an untreated infection as Betamethasone may not be suitable for you.
Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. You must avoid any vaccination with live vaccines without consulting with your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease e.g. recent heart attack, heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- eye disease e.g. glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye), cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye)
- mental health problems or mood disorders
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- stomach or bowel problems e.g. peptic ulcer (open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower food pipe)
- history of TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bones) or at risk of developing osteoporosis
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- phaeochromocytoma (rare tumour of the adrenal gland causing high blood pressure)
- thyroid disease
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Betamethasone to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Avoid exposure to anyone who is infected with chickenpox or measles. If you are exposed to these infections, contact your doctor immediately.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. skin tests), inform your doctor that you are taking Betamethasone.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. blood sugar or potassium level, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Monitoring of the growth (e.g. height) and development of the child taking this medicine may also be needed.
- Regular monitoring of signs or symptoms of infection may also be needed.
Betamethasone may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, indigestion, difficulty swallowing, pimples, bruising, changes in menstrual cycle, and enlargement of the abdomen.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- severe stomach pain, severe dizziness, muscle weakness, extreme tiredness, decreased appetite, weight loss
- swollen or round face, purple stretch marks, buffalo hump-shaped upper back, thinning of the skin
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- changes in eyesight
- persistent fever, chills, cough, severe sore throat, wound that will not heal
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Avoid vaccinations with live vaccines during treatment with Betamethasone. Alert your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated or if you are planning to get vaccinated.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. amphotericin B, itraconazole
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin
- medicines to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, cobicistat
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Betamethasone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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