betamethasone

Betamethasone is a synthetic long-acting corticosteroid with potent glucocorticoid activity and negligible mineralocorticoid effects. It acts as an agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor to exert anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions. The drug is used in various formulations (topical creams/ointments/lotions/gels/foams/sprays; oral solution; injectable suspension) to treat a wide range of conditions including inflammatory skin diseases (such as eczema and psoriasis), allergic reactions, rheumatic disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus), endocrine disorders (including adrenal insufficiency), gastrointestinal diseases, hematologic disorders, neoplastic diseases, ophthalmic diseases, renal diseases, respiratory conditions (such as asthma), nervous system disorders (including cerebral edema), and for stimulating fetal lung maturation in preterm labor. Its mechanism involves both genomic pathways—modulating gene expression to promote anti-inflammatory proteins—and nongenomic pathways that rapidly modulate immune cell activity[1][4][5][6].

Brand names

AlphatrexBeta-ValBetadermBetanateBetatrexCelestoneCelestone SoluspanBetaject

Other names

betamethasone dipropionatebetamethasone valerate