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Betamethasone
From WikEM
Contents
Administration
- Type: Corticosteroid
- Dosage Forms:
- Betamethasone: Oral
- Betamethasone valerate: 0.1% cream, ointment, lotion, 0.12% foam
- Betamethasone dipropionate: 0.05% cream, ointment, lotion, spray, gel
- Routes of Administration: PO, topical
- Common Trade Names:
Adult Dosing
- Topical: apply to affected area 1-2 times daily, max 50g or 50ml per week
Pediatric Dosing
>12yo, topical: apply to affected area 1-2 times daily, max 50g or 50ml per week
- Syrup: 0.02 to 0.3 mg/kg/day in 3-4 divided doses
Special Populations
- Pregnancy Rating: C
- Lactation risk: infant risk cannot be ruled out
- Renal dosing: no adjustment
- Hepatic dosing: no adjustment
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- Cushing's syndrome, secondary hypocorticolism, HPA axis supression
- Hyperglycemia
- Elevated ICP, glaucoma
- Cataract, cortical blindness
- Stroke, spinal cord infarct, paraplegia, tetraplegia, nerve injury
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Osteoporosis
Common
- Itching, burning, stinging of skin
- Erythema, vesicles
- Atrophic condition of skin
- Folliculitis
- Hypertension
- Depression, euphoria
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 5.6h
- Metabolism: Hepatic
- Excretion: Renal
Mechanism of Action
- Corticosteroid, anti-inflammatory action
