Military Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pharmacy

Betamethasone

Category:

• Miscellaneous

Description:

• Synthetic adrenal corticosteroid

Indications:

• Anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant agent in the treatment of  a variety of diseases including those of hematologic, allergic, inflammatory, neoplastic, and autoimmune origin

• Commonly used in premature labor to accelerate pulmonary maturity among those fetuses less than 33 weeks gestation.

Contraindications:

• Systemic fungal infections

• Hypersensitivity to any component of the product.

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C: Newborns may exhibit signs of adrenal insufficiency; excreted in breast milk and may suppress growth and cause other unwanted effects

• Psychotic derangements may appear

• Following prolonged therapy, withdrawal symptoms may include fever, myalgia, arthralgia, and malaise

• Use lowest possible dose

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• METAB: sodium retention, fluid retention, CHF, potassium loss, hypokalemic acidosis, hypertension, negative nitrogen balance

• MS: muscle weakness, osteoporosis, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture, pathological fracture of long bones, vertebral compression fractures

• GI: peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, abdominal distention, ulcerative esophagitis

• SKIN: erythema, increased sweating, petechiae and ecchymoses, urticaria

• ENDO: cushionoid state, supressed growth, menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness

• NEURO: convulsions, vertigo, headache, psychic disturbances, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema

• OTHER: weight gain, increased appetite, thromboemolism, hiccups, nausea, malaise  

Dosage:

Topical: Betamethasone dipiprionate 0.05% cream applied in a thin film to affected area once or twice a day, not to exceed 45 grams in 1 week.

To accelerate fetal pulmonary maturity: 12 mg IM, and repeated in 24 hours.