Betamethasone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Betamethasone prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Betamethasone is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and breathing disorders.

Betamethasone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Measure the liquid form of betamethasone with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Your steroid medication needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using betamethasone.

You may have withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss when you stop using betamethasone after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking steroid medication.

Store betamethasone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

There are many other medicines that can interact with steroids. Below is only a partial list of these medicines.

Before taking betamethasone, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• aminoglutethimide (Cytadren);

• amphotericin B (Abelcet, Ambisome, Fungizone);

• cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran);

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);

• estrogen (including birth control or hormone replacement);

• insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;

• antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

• medicines to treat Alzheimer’s disease, such as donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), rivastigmine (Exelon), or tacrine (Cognex);

• medicine to treat myasthenia gravis, such as neostigmine (Prostigmin Bromide) or pyridostigmine (Mestinon);

• seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use betamethasone, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect betamethasone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Do not receive a "live” vaccine while you are being treated with betamethasone. Vaccines may not work as well while you are taking a steroid.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of damage to your stomach while you are taking betamethasone.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

A single large dose of betamethasone is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, high doses taken over a long period of time may cause weight gain, roundness of the face, increased facial hair growth, bruising, swelling, and muscle pain or weakness.

If you take one dose daily: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you take more than one dose daily: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take two doses at that time, and then go back to your regular schedule.

If you take one dose every other day: If it is still morning, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you do not remember the missed dose until afternoon, skip the missed dose and take it the following morning. Then skip a day and go back to your regular every-other-day schedule.

Do not take extra medicine to make up a missed dose unless your medication schedule is more than one dose daily.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Your steroid medication needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you during treatment.

There are many other medicines that can interact with steroids. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

You may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you stop using betamethasone after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking steroid medication.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to betamethasone.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Before taking betamethasone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease (such as cirrhosis);

• kidney disease;

• a thyroid disorder;

• diabetes;

• a history of malaria;

• tuberculosis;

• osteoporosis;

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;

• glaucoma or cataracts;

• herpes infection of the eyes;

• stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis;

• depression or mental illness;

• congestive heart failure;

• recent heart attack;

• high blood pressure;

• unexplained diarrhea; or

• if you have recently spent time in a tropical climate.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use betamethasone, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Betamethasone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Your pharmacist has information written for health professionals about betamethasone that you may read.

Betamethasone is available with a prescription under the brand name Celestone. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Celestone 0.6 mg—pink, scored tablets

• Celestone Syrup 0.6 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)