ASSESSMENT

MECHANISM OF ACTION Betamethasone is a corticosteroid with mainly glucocorticoid activity. It prevents and controls inflammation by controlling the rate of protein synthesis, depressing the migration of polymorphonucle ar leukocytes and fibroblasts, and reversing capillary permeability and lysosomal stabilisation.

ADMINISTRATIO N PO Allergic and inflammatory disorders; congenital adrenal hyperplasia 0.5-5 mg/day. IM Allergic and inflammatory disorders As betamethasone Na phosphate and betamethasone acetate: Initial: 0.25-9 mg/day in 1-2 divided doses. Ophth Allergic and inflammatory conditions of the eye As 0.1% soln: As Na phosphate: Instill 1-2 hrly until symptoms are controlled. As 0.1% oint: As Na phosphate: Apply 2-4 times/day or at

INDICATION

CONTRAINDICATIO N

ADVERSE EFFECT

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES Give daily dose before 9 AM to mimic normal peak corticosteroid blood levels. Increase dosage when patient is subject to stress. Taper doses when discontinuing highdose or long-term therapy. Do not give live virus vaccines with immunosuppressiv e doses of corticosteroids. Do not stop taking the oral drug without consulting your health care provider. Take single dose or alternate-day doses before 9 AM. Avoid exposure to infections; ability to fight infections is reduced. Wear a medical alert tag

GENERIC NAME: BETAMETHASONE BRAND NAME: CELESTONE

Hypercalcemia Hypersensitivity; associated with systemic fungal or cancer Short-term acute infections. management of inflammatory and allergic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, collagen diseases (eg, SLE), dermatologic diseases (eg, pemphigus), status asthmaticus, and autoimmune disorders Hematologic disorders: Thrombocytopeni a purpura, erythroblastopeni a Ulcerative colitis, acute exacerbations of MS, and palliation in some leukemias and lymphomas Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial

Sodium and fluid retention, potassium and calcium depletion. Muscle wasting, weakness, osteoporosis. GI disturbances and bleeding. Increased appetite and delayed wound healing; hirsutism, bruising, striae, acne; raised intracranial pressure, headache, depression, psychosis, menstrual irregularities. Hyperglycaemia, DM. Suppression of pituitaryadrenocortical axis. Growth retardation in children

night w/ the eye drops. Topical Skin disorders As dipropionate (0.05%) or valerate (0.025 or 0.1%): Apply as directed.

involvement. Intra-articular or soft-tissue administration Arthritis, psoriatic plaques, and so forth Dermatologic preparations Relief of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of steroid-responsive dermatoses .

(prolonged therapy). Increased susceptibility for infections. Topical use: Dermal atrophy, local irritation, folliculitis, hypertrichosis. Inhalation: Hoarseness, candidiasis of mouth and throat. Topical application to the eye: Corneal ulcers, raised IOP and reduced visual acuity. Intradermal injection: Local hypopigmentatio n of deeply pigmented skin. Intra-articular injection: Joint damage, fibrosis, esp in load bearing joints. Potentially Fatal: Abrupt withdrawal leading to acute

so emergency care providers will know that you are on this medication. You may experience these side effects: Increase in appetite, weight gain (counting calories may help); heartburn, indigestion (eat frequent small meals; take antacids); poor wound healing (consult with your care provider); muscle weakness, fatigue (frequent rest periods will help). Report unusual weight gain, swelling of the extremities, muscle weakness, black or tarry stools, fever, prolonged sore throat, colds or other infections, worsening of original disorder.

adrenal insufficiency manifesting as malaise, weakness, mental changes, muscle and joint pains, dystonia, hypoglycaemia, hypotension, dehydration and death. Rapid IV inj may cause CV collapse.