Betamethasone

Betamethasone

Clinical data
Pregnancy category	US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Routes of administration	oral or topical
ATC code	A07EA04 (WHO) C05AA05 (WHO) D07AC01 (WHO) D07XC01 (WHO) H02AB01 (WHO) R01AD06 (WHO) R03BA04 (WHO) S01BA06 (WHO) S01CB04 (WHO) S02BA07 (WHO) S03BA03 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	hepatic CYP3A4
Elimination half-life	5.6 hours
Excretion	?
Identifiers
IUPAC name 9-fluoro-11,17-dihydroxy-17-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-10,13,16- trimethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17- dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one
CAS Number	378-44-9
PubChem CID	9782
DrugBank	APRD00513
E number	{{#property:P628}}
ECHA InfoCard	{{#property:P2566}}
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C22H29FO5
Molar mass	392.461

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Betamethasone is a moderate-potent glucocorticoid steroid with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive abilities, used especially where water retention is undesirable. It is applied as a topical cream, ointment, foam, lotion or gel to treat itching (e.g. from eczema).

It is available as a number of esters: Dipropionate (branded as Diprosone®, Diprolene® and others), Sodium Phosphate and Valerate (branded as Betnovate®, Celestone® and others).

Betamethasone sodium phosphate is sometimes prescribed as an intramuscular injection (I.M) for itching from various ailments including allergic reactions to poison ivy and similar plants.

Indications

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used to stimulate fetal lung maturation, and to decrease the incidence and mortality from intracranial hemorrhage in premature infants.

It is also used as a topical cream to relieve skin irritation.

0.05% Betamethasone cream appears effective in treating phimosis in boys, and often averts the need for circumcision.

Betamethasone sodium phosphate is used orally and via injection with the same indications as other steroids.

Fetal risk

As it crosses the placenta, which is required for its beneficial effects, it may also be associated with complications, such as hypoglycemia and leucocytosis in newborns exposed in utero.

External links

• "Betamethasone". safefetus.com.
• "Betamethasone". Pharmacy Services. Medical University of South Carolina.

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