Description
Trade name: Betafos
Composition
Each 1 ml of suspension contains: Betamethasone dipropionate – 5 mg; Betamethasone sodium phosphate – 2 mg.
Excipients: sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyethyleneglycol 4000, sodium chloride, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, disodium edetate, tween 80, benzyl alcohol, water for injection.
Properties
Betafos combines two betamethasone esters (a corticosteroid) with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-rheumatic effects. Betamethasone sodium phosphate is absorbed quickly and gives a fast effect; betamethasone dipropionate is absorbed slowly and prolongs the effect.
Indications
Acute and chronic conditions that respond to corticosteroids, including:
- Musculoskeletal and soft tissue conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, sciatica.
- Allergic conditions: bronchial asthma, hay fever, angioedema, serum sickness.
- Skin conditions: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, keloids.
- Collagen diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis.
- Other conditions as determined by the doctor.
Dosage and administration
Administered only by a healthcare professional. The dose is individual and depends on the disease, its severity and the patient’s response.
Allowed routes: deep intramuscular (gluteal), intra-articular, peri-articular, intrabursal, intralesional and local soft-tissue injection.
Not for intravenous or subcutaneous use.
Systemic intramuscular use (adults): usually 1–2 ml, repeated as needed.
Intra-articular use: large joints 1–2 ml; medium joints 0.5–1 ml; small joints 0.25–0.5 ml.
Contraindications
Systemic fungal infections; hypersensitivity to betamethasone, other corticosteroids or any component of the product; intramuscular use in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Precautions
Use with caution in infections (including tuberculosis and ocular herpes simplex), hypertension, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, liver cirrhosis, hypothyroidism and myasthenia gravis. Corticosteroids may mask signs of infection. Avoid live vaccines during treatment. After long-term treatment, the dose should be reduced gradually. Growth should be monitored in children on prolonged treatment.
Side effects
Possible effects typical of corticosteroids: fluid and electrolyte disturbances, increased blood pressure, increased blood sugar, gastrointestinal upset, muscle weakness, mood changes, sleep disturbances, skin thinning. At the injection site: pain, changes in skin colour, skin atrophy, sterile abscess, flare after injection.
Storage
Store at a temperature not exceeding 25°C, out of the reach of children.
Packaging
1 ampoule of 2 ml.
