Betamethasone oral solution
What is betamethasone oral solution?
BETAMETHASONE (Celestone®) is a corticosteroid. It helps to reduce swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. Betamethasone treats allergies, skin problems, asthma, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and many other conditions. Generic betamethasone oral solution is not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I take betamethasone?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- diabetes
- blood clotting problems
- heart, liver, or kidney disease
- high blood pressure
- infection; measles, tuberculosis, herpes or chickenpox
- mental problems or psychosis
- myasthenia gravis
- osteoporosis
- previous heart attack
- seizures (convulsions)
- stomach or intestinal disease
- under-active thyroid
- an unusual or allergic reaction to betamethasone, corticosteroids, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take betamethasone oral solution by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. Take with milk or food to avoid stomach upset. If you are only taking betamethasone once a day, take it in the morning, which is the time your body normally secretes cortisol. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking betamethasone except on your prescriber’s advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, consult your prescriber or health care professional. You may need to miss a dose or take a double dose, depending on your condition and treatment. Do not take double or extra doses without advice.
What drug(s) may interact with betamethasone?
- antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
- aspirin
- barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
- bosentan
- carbamazepine
- female hormones, including birth control pills
- heart medicines
- medicines for diabetes
- medicines that improve muscle tone or strength for conditions like myasthenia gravis
- phenytoin
- rifampin
- vaccines and other immunization products
- water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking betamethasone?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- confusion, excitement, restlessness, a false sense of well-being
- eye pain, decreased or blurred vision, or bulging eyes
- fever, sore throat, sneezing, cough, or other signs of infection
- frequent passing of urine
- hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not really there)
- increased thirst
- irregular heartbeat
- menstrual problems
- mental depression, mood swings, mistaken feelings of self-importance, mistaken feelings of being mistreated
- muscle cramps or muscle weakness
- nausea, vomiting
- pain in hips, back, ribs, arms, shoulders, or legs
- rounding out of face
- skin problems, acne
- stomach pain
- swelling of feet or lower legs
- unusual bruising or red pinpoint spots on the skin
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weight gain or weight loss
- wounds that will not heal
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- diarrhea or constipation
- headache
- increased appetite
- increased sweating
- nervousness, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping
- unusual increased growth of hair on the face or body
- upset stomach
What should I watch for while taking betamethasone?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. If you are taking corticosteroids for a long time, carry an identification card with your name, the type and dose of corticosteroid, and your prescriber’s name and address. Do not suddenly stop taking betamethasone. You may need to gradually reduce the dose, so that your body can adjust. Follow the advice of your prescriber or health care professional.
If you take corticosteroids for a long time, avoid contact with people who have an infection. You may be at an increased risk from infection while taking betamethasone. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.
People who are taking certain dosages of betamethasone may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines or may need to have changes in their vaccination schedules to ensure adequate protection from certain diseases. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking betamethasone before receiving any vaccine.
If you are diabetic, betamethasone can affect your blood sugar levels. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you need help adjusting the dose of your diabetic medicine.
If you take betamethasone tablets every day, you may need to watch your diet. Your body can also lose potassium while you take this medicine. Ask your prescriber or health care professional about your diet, especially about your salt intake.
If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking betamethasone, or have taken it within the last 12 months.
Alcohol can increase the risk of getting serious side effects while you are taking betamethasone. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Elderly patients have an increased risk of side effects from betamethasone.
Betamethasone can interfere with certain lab tests and can cause false skin test results.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 2 and 30 degrees C (36 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
[ Last Revised: 9/12/2005 9:51:00 AM ]
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