Betamethasone

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, lotion or gel to treat itching (eg. from eczema).

It is available as a number of salts: Dipropionate (eg. Diprosone®), Sodium Phosphate and Valerate (eg. Betnovate®).

Indications

Corticosteroid used to stimulate foetal lung maturation and to decrease the incidence and mortality from intracranial haemorrhage in premature infants.

foetal risk

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

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