Betamethasone injection

What is this medicine?

BETAMETHASONE (bay ta METH a sone) is a corticosteroid. It helps to reduce swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. It is used to treat asthma, allergies, arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. It is also used for other conditions, like blood disorders and diseases of the adrenal glands.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle, joint, lesion, or other tissue. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• black, tarry stools

• breathing problems

• bulging eyes

• changes in vision

• fever, sore throat, infection, sores that do not heal

• frequent passing of urine

• high blood pressure

• increased thirst

• pain in hips, back, ribs, arms, shoulders, or legs

• swelling of feet or lower legs

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• confusion, excitement, restlessness

• headache

• nausea, vomiting

• skin problems, acne, thin and shiny skin

• stomach upset

• trouble sleeping

• weight gain

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• mifepristone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• aspirin

• vaccines

• warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• blood clotting problems

• Cushing's syndrome

• diabetes

• eye disease, vision problems

• glaucoma or cataracts

• heart problems or disease

• high blood pressure

• infection like chickenpox, fungus, herpes, measles, or tuberculosis

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• mental problems

• myasthenia gravis

• osteoporosis

• seizures

• stomach, intestinal disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to betamethasone, corticosteroids, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. If you are taking this medicine over a prolonged period, carry an identification card with your name and address, the type and dose of your medicine, and your doctor's name and address.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Stay away from people who are sick. Tell your doctor or health care professional if you are around anyone with measles or chickenpox.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you have taken this medicine within the last twelve months.

Ask your doctor or health care professional about your diet. You may need to lower the amount of salt you eat.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

You may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines while you are taking this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have taken this medicine before receiving any vaccine.