Betamethasone injection, also known by its brand name Celestone Soluspan, is an injectable steroid that helps reduce inflammation from various conditions. It combines two different forms of betamethasone: betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate. It's typically used when people can't take steroid medications by mouth, and must be injected by a healthcare professional (HCP). This injection is approved for both adults and children, but it's not known if it's safe during pregnancy. Common side effects of steroids include high blood sugar, sleep problems, and mood changes.
This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune problems, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include:
Allergies or allergic reactions
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
Conditions related to blood cells
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia)
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Eye conditions
Kidney conditions
Lung conditions
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) is a corticosteroid. It can be used for many conditions by reducing the release of chemicals in your body that cause swelling and inflammation.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Works well to treat many different conditions involving the immune system
A good option for people who can't take medications by mouth
Safe for children and adults
Can be injected directly into the problem area
Must be given by a healthcare professional (HCP)
Can cause side effects like upset stomach, mood changes, and sleep problems
Can weaken the immune system, leading to higher risk of infections
Might need to taper your dose before stopping
Betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can interact with many medications, including warfarin (Coumadin), macrolide antibiotics, and certain birth control pills. Tell your prescriber about all medications and supplements you're taking to avoid serious interactions.
Don't stop taking betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) suddenly without talking to your prescriber because it can cause serious problems with hormone levels. If you need to stop, you'll likely need to lower your dose slowly over time to prevent side effects such as weakness, nausea, and joint pain.
Let your HCP know if you develop a fever, cough, body aches, chills, or other signs of an infection while taking betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan). This medication lowers your immune system so you might have a more difficult time fighting off infections.
Avoid contact with people with chickenpox or measles, as these infections can cause serious problems while you're receiving betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan). Let your prescriber know if you’ve been exposed to these viruses.
Make sure you're up to date with all of your vaccinations before starting betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan). This medication can make some vaccines not work well and it also raises your risk of getting sick from live vaccines. Avoid receiving vaccines during treatment until you discuss it with your prescriber.
Betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) might cause birth defects and hormone problems in unborn babies if given during pregnancy. It can also pass into breast milk and cause side effects in breastfed babies. Speak with your HCP about the risks and benefits before receiving betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Let your HCP know if you experience any mood or behavior changes while taking betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan). This medication can cause extreme mood swings and severe depression.
Betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Epidural injection | Intrathecal injection | High doses of betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan)
Injecting betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) into the intrathecal (fluid-filled space around the brain and spinal cord) or epidural area (space around the spinal nerves in your lower back) can raise the risk of nerve problems. These problems can include stroke within the spinal cord or arteries leading to the spinal cord, paralysis of the lower half of the body, paralysis from the neck down, vision loss, stroke, or even death. That's why betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) shouldn't be injected into these areas.
High doses of betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can also raise the risk of sudden myopathy (serious muscle problems), such as muscle cramps or weakness, in people with a history of nerve conditions (e.g., myasthenia gravis) or who are taking neuromuscular blocking medications. Recovery might take weeks or years after stopping betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan). The sudden myopathy can affect the eyes, lungs, or lead to paralysis from the neck down, so let your HCP know if you experience muscle weakness, breathing problems, or vision changes while taking this medication.
Risk factors: Stopping betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) suddenly | Stress such as trauma, injury, or infection
Your adrenal gland makes certain hormones for your body, but long-term use of betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) injections can cause adrenal insufficiency. This is when your adrenal glands stop making hormones naturally. Stopping the medication suddenly can lead to steroid withdrawal, causing tiredness, joint or muscle pain, and low energy. Hormone problems can occur months after stopping betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan), so continue to follow up with your HCP even after stopping this medication.
Risk factors: Large doses of corticosteroids | Recent heart attack | Heart failure | High blood pressure | Kidney problems
Corticosteroids like betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can increase blood pressure, raise salt and water levels, and lower potassium and calcium levels. Speak with your prescriber before starting betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) if you have high blood pressure or a history of heart or kidney problems to make sure this medication is safe for you. Your prescriber will monitor you for any swelling in your legs and feet, and might ask you to limit the amount of salt you eat or take potassium supplements during your treatment.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that weaken your immune system | High doses of betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) | Coming into contact with people who have viral illnesses | Receiving live vaccines
Corticosteroids like betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can weaken your immune system and raise your risk of getting infections. The medication can cause new infections, reactivate old ones, or hide symptoms of current infections. If you have an infection, speak with your HCP about treating it before starting betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan). Certain infections, like fungal, parasitic, tuberculosis, chickenpox, or measles, can worsen and lead to serious complications if corticosteroids are taken at the same time. Let your prescriber know right away if you experience any signs of infection, such as fever, cough, flu-like symptoms, stomach pain, vision problems, or diarrhea.
Injecting betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) into a joint (intra-articular) can sometimes damage the joints or cause an infection in your joint fluid (septic arthritis). Don't get betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) injected into joints that are currently or were previously infected. If you have pain, swelling, fever, weakness, or you're unable to move your joints freely, let your care team know right away. You might need antibiotics to treat the infection.
Risk factors: Long-term use of betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan)
Betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can raise the risk of certain eye problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma, high eye pressure, eye nerve damage, or eye infections. If you're receiving this medication longer than 6 weeks, you might need to get your eyes checked regularly. Let your healthcare team know if you experience any vision changes.
Risk factors: Stomach ulcer | Stomach inflammation | Stomach surgery | Ulcerative colitis
Betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) might raise your risk of developing a tear in the stomach if you have a history of stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or other stomach inflammation and infections. Although signs of stomach irritation might be more difficult to recognize while taking betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan), let your HCP know if you experience any stomach pain or tenderness.
Risk factors: Children | Women who've gone through menopause
Corticosteroids like betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can make your bones weak and brittle, which raises the risk of osteoporosis. Although the risk is higher in children and women who've gone through menopause, this can occur at any age. If this medication is given in children, it can affect their bones, growth, and development. Depending on how often you use this medication, your prescriber might need to check your bones regularly.
Risk factors: History of mental health conditions
Betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can sometimes affect your mood and behavior. It can affect your ability to sleep and cause mood swings, changes in your personality, and depression. If you have a history of mental health conditions, let your prescriber know, because betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can worsen these problems.
Risk factors: Long-term use
Although rare, there have been reports of people developing a type of cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma when taking corticosteroids like betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) for a long time. Discuss the risk with your HCP if you're to take this medication long term.
Your healthcare professional (HCP) will determine your dose and how often you receive betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) based on your condition, other health problems, and any medications you’re currently taking.
The typical starting dose is between 0.25 mg to 9 mg a day.
Betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) can be given as an injection in various ways, including:
Intrabursal: Into the fluid-filled sac between bones and muscles or tendons.
Intra-articular: Into the joint.
Intramuscular: Into the muscle.
Intralesional: Into the lesion.
Intradermal: Into the layers of the skin.
Intramuscular (into the muscle) betamethasone (Сеlеstоne Soluspan) injection given to treat idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a rare blood condition with low platelet levels
This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune problems, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include:
Allergies or allergic reactions
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
Conditions related to blood cells
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia)
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Eye conditions
Kidney conditions
Lung conditions
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Allergies or allergic reactions
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
Conditions related to blood cells
Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia)
Nervous system conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
Eye conditions
Kidney conditions
Lung conditions
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Conditions affecting certain hormones (e.g., low adrenal hormones)
Joint conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Skin conditions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
Allergic reactions
Eye inflammation
Lung problems
Conditions related to blood cells
Cancer of blood cells (e.g., leukemia)
Gut conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
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