Betamethasone brands and prices in Pakistan

About Betamethasone

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid (steroid) medicine. It is a man-made copy of a hormone the body makes naturally, and it calms swelling, redness, itching and an overactive immune system. It is not the same as the anabolic steroids some people misuse to build muscle. It comes in many forms: creams, ointments, lotions, scalp lotions and foams and medicated plasters for the skin; drops for the eyes, ears or nose and an eye ointment; tablets (including soluble tablets); and an injection. Some products also contain an antibiotic or an antifungal. Most betamethasone skin products are strong (potent) steroids. It is a prescription medicine.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• Do not use it if you have ever had an allergic reaction to betamethasone or any ingredient in the product.
• Tablets and injection: the UK leaflets say not to use them if you have an infection that is not being treated.
• Ear drops: do not use them in the ear if you have a hole in your eardrum (perforated eardrum).
• Eye drops: tell your doctor if you have an eye infection or pus, shingles, glaucoma, thinning of the eye surface, eye redness not caused by allergy, or you wear soft contact lenses.
• Nose drops: tell your doctor if you have an untreated infection inside your nose or nose surgery that has not healed.
• Skin forms: tell your doctor if you have a skin infection, broken skin or cuts, acne, rosacea (including a rash around the mouth), or itchy skin that is not red or inflamed.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had tuberculosis (TB), or if you have recently been near someone with chickenpox, shingles or measles. If you have not had these illnesses, avoid close contact with people who have them while on tablets or injections, and see a doctor straight away if you are exposed.
• Tell your doctor if you or a close family member have had severe depression, bipolar disorder or other serious mental illness.
• Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a recent heart attack, epilepsy, glaucoma, osteoporosis (thin bones), a stomach ulcer, an underactive thyroid, myasthenia gravis, liver or kidney disease, a rare adrenal tumour (phaeochromocytoma), or if you have recently had or are due to have a vaccine.
• Pregnancy: NHS says the skin forms and the eye, ear and nose drops can be used in pregnancy, as almost none reaches the baby. With tablets or injections, frequent or long-term use may slow the baby's growth, so talk to your doctor. Do not stop on your own.
• Breastfeeding: NHS says the skin forms and drops can be used. Use skin forms on the smallest area you can, keep the baby away from treated skin, and if it is used on the breast, wipe it off and wash your hands before feeding. For tablets or injections, ask your doctor first.
• Children: skin forms are used in most children over a certain age, and some products only in older children. Children on long-term steroids need their height and weight checked, as growth can slow. Do not cover a child's treated skin with bandages or tight nappies unless told to. Older people may get more serious side effects from tablets and injections.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• HIV medicines ritonavir and cobicistat, and the antifungal itraconazole, can raise the amount of steroid in the body and the risk of side effects, even with skin products and drops
• Other steroid products, such as eczema creams, asthma inhalers, steroid nasal sprays, eye drops, tablets or injections, as using several together adds up
• Diabetes medicines, including insulin, as betamethasone can raise blood sugar
• Blood pressure medicines and water tablets (diuretics)
• Warfarin (a blood thinner)
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, and aspirin, which raise the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding
• Epilepsy medicines such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone and phenobarbital, and the TB medicines rifampicin and rifabutin
• Heart medicines (cardiac glycosides), acetazolamide, theophylline, amphotericin B, ephedrine and mifepristone
• Hormonal contraceptive pills, growth hormone, muscle relaxants used in surgery, myasthenia gravis medicines, quinolone antibiotics, quetiapine and tretinoin
• Herbal remedies and supplements: there is not enough information to say they are safe with it. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• Use it only as your doctor prescribes, and never use someone else's steroid.
• Skin: wash your hands before and after use (unless you are treating your hands). Spread a thin layer over all the affected skin, not just the worst patches. Avoid cuts and broken skin.
• Skin: do not put it on at the same time as a moisturiser or other skin product; leave a gap. Do not cover the area with a dressing unless your doctor says so.
• Skin: creams and lotions can dry onto clothes and bedding and make them catch fire more easily, and the foam can catch fire. Keep away from flames and do not smoke while using them.
• Soluble tablets are best dissolved in water and drunk straight away, but they can also be swallowed whole.
• Do not stop tablets or injections suddenly. Stopping too fast can cause serious withdrawal effects. Your doctor will tell you how to stop. After long use of skin forms or drops, your doctor may also reduce them slowly.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need a steroid emergency card, and show it to any doctor or dentist before treatment or surgery.
• Eye drops or ointment can blur your sight for a short time. Wait until you can see clearly before driving or using machines.
• If you forget a dose, use it when you remember unless the next one is nearly due. Never use a double dose.
• Store out of the reach of children and return unused medicine to a pharmacy.

Common questions

How strong is betamethasone cream compared with hydrocortisone?
Much stronger. Skin steroids are graded mild, moderate, potent or very potent, and most betamethasone skin products are potent. Stronger steroids work better but have a higher risk of side effects, so doctors usually use them for short spells for severe skin problems, often after a weaker steroid has been tried.

Can I use betamethasone cream on my face?
Only if a doctor tells you to. The skin on the face is thin, so thinning and damage show more. If your doctor says yes, follow their instructions closely and keep it away from your eyes and eyelids.

When will I feel better?
Skin and drops usually start to help within a few days. See your doctor if your skin is not improving or gets worse at any time.

Does it affect my contraception, or can I drink alcohol?
NHS says betamethasone skin products and drops do not affect any contraception, and you can drink alcohol. Hormonal contraceptive pills are listed as a possible interaction with the tablets and injection, so tell your doctor if you take them.

Why is betamethasone injection given to some pregnant women?
When a baby is likely to be born early, WHO recommends a steroid injection (betamethasone or dexamethasone) into the mother's muscle. It helps the baby's lungs mature and lowers the chance of breathing problems and death in early babies. It is only given in hospital, when the pregnancy can be dated accurately, there are no signs of infection in the mother, and good care is available for mother and baby.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.