Uses of Betamethasone:

• It is used for many health problems like allergy signs, asthma, adrenal gland problems, blood problems, skin rashes, or swelling problems. This is not a list of all health problems that betamethasone (systemic) may be used for. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Betamethasone?

For all uses of betamethasone (systemic):

• If you have an allergy to betamethasone or any other part of betamethasone (systemic).
• If you are allergic to betamethasone (systemic); any part of betamethasone (systemic); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have a herpes infection of the eye.
• If you have any of these health problems: A fungal infection or malaria infection in the brain.

Injection (if given in the muscle):

• If you have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with betamethasone (systemic).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take betamethasone (systemic) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Betamethasone?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take betamethasone (systemic). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take betamethasone (systemic).
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Chickenpox and measles can be very bad or even deadly in some people taking steroid drugs like betamethasone (systemic). Avoid being near anyone with chickenpox or measles if you have not had these health problems before. If you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles, talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may lower how much natural steroid is in your body. If you have a fever, an infection, surgery, or you are hurt, talk with your doctor. You may need extra doses of oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these stresses. Carry a warning card saying that there may be times when you need extra steroids.
• Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
• Have your eye pressure checked if you are on betamethasone (systemic) for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may cause weak bones (osteoporosis) with long-term use. Talk with your doctor to see if you have a higher chance of weak bones or if you have any questions.
• Have a bone density test as you have been told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with betamethasone (systemic) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This medicine may raise blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Very bad health problems have happened when drugs like this one have been given into the spine (epidural). These include paralysis, loss of eyesight, stroke, and sometimes death. It is not known if drugs like this one are safe and effective when given into the spine. These drugs are not approved for this use. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use betamethasone (systemic) with care. You could have more side effects.
• Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
• Some products have benzyl alcohol. Do not give a product that has benzyl alcohol in it to a newborn or infant. Talk with the doctor to see if this product has benzyl alcohol in it.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using betamethasone (systemic) while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Betamethasone) best taken?

Use betamethasone (systemic) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as a shot.
• You may need to lower how much salt is in your diet and take extra potassium. Talk with your doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Skin changes (pimples, stretch marks, slow healing, hair growth).
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of Cushing's disease like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, very bad headache, or slow healing.
• Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a very bad upset stomach or throwing up, very bad dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, not hungry, or weight loss.
• Signs of low potassium levels like muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Feeling very tired, weak, or touchy; trembling; having a fast heartbeat, confusion, sweating, or dizziness if you missed a dose or recently stopped betamethasone (systemic).
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Fast or slow heartbeat.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm.
• Period (menstrual) changes.
• Bone or joint pain.
• Change in the way you act.
• Low mood (depression).
• Seizures.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Change in eyesight.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.

What are some other side effects of Betamethasone?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Weight gain.
• Restlessness.
• Sweating a lot.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Betamethasone?

• If you need to store betamethasone (systemic) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about betamethasone (systemic), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

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