• Betsona indications
• Uses of Betsona in details
• Betsona description
• Betsona dosage
• Betsona interactions
• Betsona side effects
• Betsona contraindications

What is Betsona?

Betsona sodium phosphate and Betsona acetate combination injection provides relief for inflamed areas of the body. It is used to treat a number of different conditions, such as inflammation (swelling), severe allergies, adrenal problems, arthritis, lung or breathing problems, blood or bone marrow problems, eye or vision problems, lupus, serious skin conditions, kidney problems, ulcerative colitis, and flare-ups of multiple sclerosis. Betsona sodium phosphate and Betsona acetate combination is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid). It works on the immune system to help relieve swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions.

Betsona sodium phosphate and Betsona acetate is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Betsona indications

Betsona Suspension is indicated for the treatment of acute and chronic corticosteroid-responsive disorders. Corticosteroid hormone therapy is an adjunct to, and not a replacement for conventional therapy.

Musculoskeletal and Soft Tissue Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, ankylosing spondylitis, epicondylitis, radiculitis, coccydynia, sciatica, lumbago, torticollis, ganglion cyst, exostasis and fasciitis.

Allergic Conditions: Chronic bronchial asthma (including adjunctive therapy for status asthmaticus), hay fever, angioneurotic edema, allergic bronchitis, seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, drug reactions, serum sickness and insect bites.

Dermatologic Conditions: Atopic dermatitis (nummular eczema), neurodermatitis (circumscribed lichen simplex), contact dermatitis, severe solar dermatitis, urticaria, hypertrophic lichen planus, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, alopecia areata, discoid lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, keloids, pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiformis and cystic acne.

Collagen Diseases: Disseminated lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, periarteritis nodosa.

Neoplastic Diseases: Palliative management of leukemias and lymphomas in adults; acute leukemia of childhood.

Other Conditions: Adrenogenital syndrome, ulcerative colitis, regional ileitis, sprue, podiatric conditions (bursitis under heloma durum, hallux rigidus, digiti quinti varus), affections requiring subconjunctival injection, corticosteroid-responsive blood dyscrasias, nephritis and nephrotic syndrome.

Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency may be treated with Betsona Suspension but should be supplemented with mineralocorticosteroids, if applicable.

Betsona Suspension is recommended for intramuscular injection in conditions responsive to systemic corticosteroids; injection directly into the affected soft tissues where indicated; intra-articular and periarticular injection in arthritides; intralesional injection in various dermatologic conditions; and local injection in certain inflammatory and cystic disorders of the foot.

How should I use Betsona?

Use Betsona solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Betsona solution by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Use the dropper that comes with Betsona solution to measure your dose. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
• If Betsona solution needs to be stopped (or if a different medicine is added to therapy) by your doctor, this will be done gradually. The risk of side effects may be increased if Betsona solution is suddenly stopped.
• If you miss a dose of Betsona solution, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Betsona solution.

Uses of Betsona in details

Betsona is used to treat allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and bronchial asthma

Topical preparations of Betsona are used to treat skin problems like eczema (a type of itchy skin rash), atopic dermatitis (inflammation of skin) and psoriasis of the scalp, hands and feet.

Betsona description

Each gram of Betsona (Betsona*) Cream* contains: 640 mcg Betsona dipropionate (equivalent to 500 mcg Betsona).

Each gram of Betsona (Betsona*) Ointment* contains: 640 mcg Betsona dipropionate (equivalent to 500 mcg Betsona).

Betsona (Betsona*) Cream and Ointment contain Betsona dipropionate, a synthetic corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory activity to be administered topically.

Betsona dipropionate is a white to creamy white odorless crystalline powder insoluble in water; freely soluble in acetone and in chloroform; sparingly soluble in alcohol. It has a molecular weight of 504.16 and the empirical formula C₂₈H₃₇FO₇; a chemical name of 9-fluoro-11β,17,21-trihydroxy-16β-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione,17,21-dipropionate.

Betsona dosage

Betsona Dosage

Generic name: Betsona dipropionate 0.5mg in 1g

Dosage form: ointment

See also:

• Betsona AF cream
• Betsona Lotion lotion

The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Apply a thin film of Betsona Ointment to the affected skin areas once or twice daily.

Therapy should be discontinued when control is achieved. If no improvement is seen within 2 weeks, reassessment of diagnosis may be necessary. Betsona Ointment is a super-high-potency topical corticosteroid. Treatment with Betsona Ointment should not exceed 50 g per week because of the potential for the drug to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Betsona Ointment should not be used with occlusive dressings unless directed by a physician.

Betsona Ointment is for topical use only. It is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.

Avoid use on the face, groin, or axillae, or if skin atrophy is present at the treatment site.

More about Betsona (Betsona topical)

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Consumer resources

• Betsona cream
• Betsona lotion
• Betsona

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Professional resources

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Other formulations

• Betsona AF

Related treatment guides

• Dermatitis
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Dermatological Disorders
• Lichen Planus
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Betsona interactions

See also:
What other drugs will affect Betsona?

Concurrent use of phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin or ephedrine may enhance the metabolism of corticosteroids, reducing their therapeutic effects.

Patients receiving both a corticosteroid and an estrogen should be observed for excessive corticosteroid effects.

Concurrent use of corticosteroids with potassium-depleting diuretics may enhance hypokalemia. Concurrent use of corticosteroids with cardiac glycosides may enhance the possibility of arrhythmias or digitalis toxicity associated with hypokalemia. Corticosteroids may enhance the potassium depletion caused by amphotericin B. In all patients taking any of these drug therapy combinations, serum electrolyte determinations, particularly potassium levels, should be monitored closely.

Concurrent use of corticosteroids with coumarin-type anticoagulants may increase or decrease the anticoagulant effects, possibly requiring adjustment in dosage.

Combined effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol with glucocorticosteroids may result in an increased occurrence or increased severity of gastrointestinal ulceration.

Corticosteroids may decrease blood salicylate concentrations. Acetylsalicylic acid should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in hypoprothrombinemia.

Dosage adjustments of an antidiabetic drug may be necessary when corticosteroids are given to diabetics.

Concomitant glucocorticosteroid therapy may inhibit the response to somatotropin. Doses of Betsona in excess of 300-450 mcg (0.3-0.45 mg)/m² of body surface per day should be avoided during administration of somatotropin.

Laboratory Tests: Corticosteroids may affect the nitro-blue tetrazolium test for bacterial infection and produce false-negative results.

Betsona side effects

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Betsona?

Applies to Betsona topical: topical application cream, topical application foam, topical application gel/jelly, topical application lotion, topical application ointment

Other dosage forms:

• topical application cream, topical application lotion, topical application ointment, topical application spray

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by Betsona topical (the active ingredient contained in Betsona). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking Betsona topical:

More common:

• Burning, itching, or stinging at the application site

• Hair loss
• thinning of the hair

• Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• irritation
• itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• redness and scaling around the mouth
• thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on where the skin folds together (e.g. between the fingers)

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with Betsona topical may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

Less common:

• Acne or pimples
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

• Burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
• burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
• increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
• lightening of normal skin color
• lightening of treated areas of dark skin
• reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
• softening of the skin

Betsona contraindications

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Betsona?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Betsona, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Before taking Betsona, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and about all other medicines you are using. There are many other diseases that can be affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.

Your steroid medication needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you during treatment.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are taking Betsona. Vaccines may not work as well while you are taking a steroid.

Do not stop using Betsona suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in case of emergency.

Active ingredient matches for Betsona:

Betamethasone in Brazil.

Betamethasone valerate in Brazil.

References

1. DailyMed. "BETAMETHASONE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
2. PubChem. "betamethasone". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
3. DrugBank. "betamethasone". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00443 (accessed September 17, 2018).

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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology