Generic Name

betamethasone
PO Allergic and
inflammatory
disorders;
congenital adrenal
hyperplasia 0.5-5
mg/day.

Brand Name
Celestone

Classification
Pharmacologic:
Corticosteroid,
glucocorticoid,
hormone
Therapeutic:
Anti-inflammatory
Pregnancy Category
C

Mechanism of Action

Indications

Betamethasone is a
Systemic
corticosteroid with
administration
mainly glucocorticoid
Hypercalcemia
activity. It prevents and
associated with
controls inflammation
cancer
by controlling the rate of Short-term
protein synthesis,
management of
depressing the migration
inflammatory and
of polymorphonuclear
allergic disorders,
leukocytes and
such as rheumatoid
fibroblasts, and
arthritis, collagen
reversing capillary
diseases (eg, SLE),
permeability and
dermatologic
lysosomal stabilisation.
diseases (eg,
pemphigus), status
asthmaticus, and
autoimmune
disorders
Hematologic
disorders:
Thrombocytopenia
purpura,
erythroblastopenia
Ulcerative colitis,
acute exacerbations
of MS, and
palliation in some
leukemias and
lymphomas

Adverse Reactions

Nursing Considerations

Sodium and fluid

Assessment
History (systemic
retention, potassium
and calcium
administration): Infections,
depletion. Muscle
fungal infections, amebiasis,
wasting, weakness,
vaccinia and varicella, and
osteoporosis. GI
antibiotic-resistant infections;
disturbances and
kidney or liver disease;
bleeding. Increased
hypothyroidism; ulcerative
appetite and delayed
colitis with impending
wound healing;
perforation; diverticulitis;
hirsutism, bruising,
active or latent peptic ulcer;
striae, acne; raised
inflammatory bowel disease;
intracranial pressure,
CHF; hypertension;
headache,
thromboembolic disorders;
depression,
osteoporosis; seizure
psychosis, menstrual
disorders; diabetes mellitus;
irregularities.
lactation
Hyperglycaemia,
Physical: Baseline weight, T,
DM. Suppression of
reflexes and grip strength,
pituitaryaffect and orientation, P, BP,
adrenocortical axis.
peripheral perfusion,
Growth retardation in
prominence of superficial
children (prolonged
veins, R and adventitious
therapy). Increased
sounds, serum electrolytes,
susceptibility for
blood glucose
infections.

Intradermal
injection: Local
hypopigmentation of
deeply pigmented
skin. Intra-articular
injection: Joint
damage, fibrosis, esp
in load bearing
joints.
Potentially Fatal:
Abrupt withdrawal
leading to acute
adrenal insufficiency
manifesting as
malaise, weakness,
mental changes,
muscle and joint
pains, dystonia,
hypoglycaemia,
hypotension,
dehydration and
death. Rapid IV inj
may cause CV
collapse.

Trichinosis with
neurologic or
myocardial
involvement

Intra-articular or
soft-tissue
administration
Arthritis, psoriatic
plaques, and so
forth
Dermatologic
preparations
Relief of
inflammatory and
pruritic
manifestations of
steroid-responsive
dermatoses

Interventions
Systemic use
Give daily dose before 9 AM
to mimic normal peak
corticosteroid blood levels.
Increase dosage when patient
is subject to stress.
Taper doses when
discontinuing high-dose or
long-term therapy.
Do not give live virus
vaccines with
immunosuppressive doses of
corticosteroids.
Teaching points
Do not stop taking the oral
drug without consulting your
health care provider.
Take single dose or alternateday doses before 9 AM.
Avoid exposure to infections;
ability to fight infections is
reduced.
Wear a medical alert tag so
emergency care providers will
know that you are on this
medication.

Report unusual weight gain,

swelling of the extremities,

muscle weakness, black or

tarry stools, fever, prolonged
sore throat, colds or other
infections, worsening of
original disorder.