Betamethasone In Breastfeeding

Betamethasone is a medicine that belongs to the group of corticosteroids or corticosteroids. These are synthetic glucocorticoids that have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. Topical derivatives of betamethasone are used as anti-inflammatories in the treatment of dermatoses that respond to corticosteroids.

What indications does betamethasone have?

Due to its immunosuppressive effects, betamethasone is used to treat symptoms caused by a sudden drop in corticosteroid levels in the body. It works by decreasing the release of substances that cause inflammation. Therefore, it is useful in diseases that cause excessive inflammation.

Among the indications of betamethasone, they include:

• Corticosteroid insufficiency in the primary or secondary organism, such as Addison’s disease.
• Shock situations caused by bleeding, trauma, or severe infection.
• Asthma.
• Rheumatic diseases.
• Ulcerative colitis
• Dermatoses that respond to corticosteroids, such as exfoliative dermatitis, urticaria, erythema multiforme, or severe psoriasis.
• Ophthalmic diseases : severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes such as allergic conjunctivitis, keratitis, allergic corneal marginal ulcers or ophthalmic herpes zoster.

How is it used?

Betamethasone is marketed in different forms of oral, parenteral, and topical administration. The appropriate dose of this corticosteroid is different for each patient and will be adjusted depending on the disease to be treated.

Topical preparations are administered by placing a thin layer of product on the area to be treated. However, intralesional administration is indicated for the treatment of keloids, lichen simplex chronicus, lupus erythematosus, or alopecia areata.

Remember that you must avoid abrupt suspension of treatment. Especially when they are prolonged, since the syndrome of withdrawal of corticosteroids may appear. The symptoms that may appear are:

• General malaise.
• Weakness and muscle pain.
• Anorexy.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever.
• Shortness of breath.
• Drop in blood pressure and blood glucose.

Contraindications and precautions for use

Among the contraindications regarding the use of betamethasone, they include:

• Allergy to corticosteroids.
• Systemic fungal infection.
• Administration of live or attenuated virus vaccines.
• Injections in unstable joints, infected areas or intervertebral spaces.

On the other hand, special caution must be taken when using betamethasone in case of suffering from diseases such as:

• Bone diseases.
• Stomach or intestinal ulcer
• Mellitus diabetes.
• Heart, liver, or kidney disease.
• Glaucoma.
• Thyroid conditions.

Lactation

Regarding the use of betamethasone during lactation, there are data indicating that the amount that passes into milk may be significant. For this reason, in prolonged treatments it is convenient to use corticosteroids known for their scarce passage to milk.

However, it is compatible with breastfeeding as long as it is used occasionally and in short treatments. However, in these cases, milk production must also be monitored.

When betamethasone is used in labor, it can delay the rise in milk and decrease the amount during the first week.

Adverse reactions of betamethasone

Short-term treatments generally do not produce adverse reactions. However, long treatments can lead to atrophy of the adrenal glands.

Betamethasone, when administered topically, can cause adverse reactions that, if they are intense or do not disappear, make it necessary to see a specialist.

As adverse reactions, they may appear:

• Burning.
• Itching
• Irritation.
• Redness
• Unwanted hair growth.
• Changes in skin color.

However, there are other symptoms that may appear, such as severe hives, redness, swelling or signs of skin infection at the site of application.

When betamethasone is applied topically to children, there is an increased risk of side effects, including growth retardation and weight gain.

At the systemic level, in a prolonged treatment, the intensity of the associated adverse effects increases with the dose, as well as their duration.

Some of the side effects that may appear after oral or parenteral administration of betamethasone are:

• Swollen eyes.
• Breathing problems.
• Urinate more frequently

• Increased thirst.
• Dark colored stools.
• Changes in vision.

Conclution

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is used mostly topically. It is used to treat discomfort caused by different skin problems.  It should always be used following the specialist’s instructions.