Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate, Inj/Oral
Corticosteroid, Systemic · Corticosteroid
Indications
Severe asthma, allergic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, collagen diseases.
Dosage
Adults: ORAL: 0.5-5 mg daily; reduce for maintenance to minimum effective dose. Adults: INJECTION: 4-20 mg IV repeated three or four times daily if required. Children: INJECTION: Suppression of inflammatory and allergic disorders; congenital adrenal hyperplasia: IV injection or infusion. 1 mth-1 yr, initially 1 mg repeated up to 4 times in 24 hr according to response; 1-6 yr, initially 2 mg repeated up to 4 times in 24 hr according to response; 6-12 yr, initially 4 mg repeated up to 4 times in 24 hr according to response; 12-18 yr, initially 4-20 mg repeated up to 4 times in 24 hr according to response.
Administration
Disorders of the foot: A tuberculin syringe with a 25-gauge, ¾-inch needle is suitable for most injection into the foot. Intra-articular injection: Intra-articular injection is well tolerated in joints and peri-articular tissues. There is virtually no pain on injection and the “secondary flare” that sometimes occurs a few hours after intra-articular injection of corticosteroids has not been reported with betamethasone sodium phosphate. Intradermal injection: Intralesional treatment should use a tuberculin syringe with a 25-gauge, ½-inch needle. Stability: Store between 2°C-25°C. Protect from light.
Adverse Effects
Endocrine irregularities including menstrual problems, Cushingoid state, adrenal suppression, growth suppression in children. Increased susceptibility to infection, increased severity of infection. Fluid/electrolyte disturbance, hypertension, negative protein, nitrogen and calcium balance. Myopathy, tendon rupture, osteoporosis, osteonecrosis and fractures. Impaired wound healing, sweating, hirsutism, striae, telangiectasia, acne. GI disturbance, peptic ulceration, acute pancreatitis, candidiasis. Psychiatric effects, neurological effects, insomnia. Diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, weight gain, increased appetite. Ocular disturbances including cataracts, raised intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage, corneal changes, glaucoma. Thromboembolism, leukocytosis.
Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)
Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Systemic fungal infections unless specific anti-infective therapy is used. Head injury, stroke. Precautions: Active infections not controlled by antibiotics. Latent or active amoebiasis. History of TB, septicaemia, symptoms may be masked. Avoid or maintain extreme cautions in chickenpox, measles, psychiatric disorders, renal impairment, hepatic failure, cirrhosis, active peptic ulcer, Myasthaenia gravis, previous steroid myopathy, osteoporosis, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, diabetes, adrenal suppression, hypertension, recent MI, congestive heart failure, thromboembolic disorders, glaucoma, corneal perforation. WITHDRAWAL: Withdraw gradually. Withdrawal symptoms may include fever, myalgia, arthralgia, rhinitis, itchy skin nodules and weight loss.
Interactions
Live vaccines or other vaccines, anticoagulants, hypoglycaemia agents, antihypertensives, diuretics, erythromycin, rifamycin, amphotericin, azole antifungals, ritonavir, cyclosporin, cardiac glycosides. Oestrogens including oral contraceptives, somatropin. Carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates. Muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, salicylates, sympathomimetics, mifepristone, methotrexate, theophylline, aprepitant.
Advice to Patient
Take oral form with or after meals. To prevent abdominal upset, take with meals. Contact prescriber if there is increased nervousness, sleep disturbances, sore throat, unrecovered injuries, loss of skin colour, excessive growth of body hair, changes in vision, sudden or rapid weight gain (>3 lb per week), swelling of face/ankles/hands/feet, difficulty in breathing, muscle weakness, dark stools or change in color of stool, constant abdominal pain or if there is no improvement or worsening of condition. Consult prescriber if you feel more stressed out than normal because dosage may need to be adjusted. Avoid alcohol, limit intake of caffeine and stimulants during therapy. If there is need, prescriber may recommend you vitamins, minerals or iron supplement. If you have diabetes, check glucose levels regularly and inform prescriber about changes. Do not get any vaccination done unless…
Pharmacokinetics
Duration: Oral: 3-5 days. IM: 7-14 days. Absorption: Readily absorbed. Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: 36-54 hrs. Excretion: Urine. Faeces.
Brands with this active ingredient
Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →
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