Bet-A - Tablet Betamethasone - 500mcg 10 Tablet(s) / Strip The ACME Laboratories Ltd. Introduction: Bet-A is a steroid. It is used in the treatment of inflammation, severe allergies, flare-ups of ongoing illnesses. It is also used to treat many other medical problems that require either reduction of inflammation or suppression of the immune system. Bet-A may be taken with or without food. It should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the dose and how often you should take them. You should take this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it. Do not stop taking the medicine even if you feel better unless the doctor tell you... Uses of Bet-A: Allergic conditions Side effects of Bet-A: Reduction in bone densityUpset stomach How to use Bet-A: Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Bet-A may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. Avoid Bet-A with dietary sodium. How Bet-A works: Bet-A is a steroid which works by blocking the production of certain chemical messengers in the body that cause inflammation (redness and swelling) and allergies. What if you forget to take Bet-A?: If you miss a dose of Bet-A, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. Indication: Ulcerative colitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Lichen planus, Psoriasis, Asthma, Eczema, Contact dermatitis, Multiple sclerosis, Drug hypersensitivity reactions, Perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis, Serum sickness, Transfusion reactions, Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), Leukemias, Lymphomas, Acute gouty arthritis, Acute rheumatic carditis, Psoriatic arthritis, Including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Psoriatic plaques, Allergic and inflammatory disorders, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Administration: Should be taken with food. Adult Dose: Oral Allergic and inflammatory disorders Adult: 0.5-5 mg daily. Child Dose: Oral Allergic and inflammatory disorders Child: For inflammatory conditions: <12 yr: 0.0175-0.125 mg base/kg daily, dose may be divided every 6-12 hr. Contraindication: Hypersensitivity; systemic fungal or acute infections. Mode of Action: Betamethasone is a corticosteroid with mainly glucocorticoid activity. It prevents and controls inflammation by controlling the rate of protein synthesis, depressing the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and fibroblasts, and reversing capillary permeability and lysosomal stabilisation. Precaution: Uncontrolled diabetes, peptic ulcer, osteoporosis, psychosis, psychoneurosis, pregnancy and lactation. Congestive heart failure, hypertension, epilepsy, CRF, elderly, regular monitoring of patients on long term therapy, withdraw gradually, glaucoma, hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, ocular herpes simplex, ulcerative colitis, infants and children. Lactation: systemically administered corticosteroids enter breast milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other effects; use with caution Side Effect: >10% (selected) Blurred vision,Increased appetite,Indigestion,Nervousness 1-10% Itching Frequency Not Defined (selected) Arthralgia,Cataracts,Dizziness,DM,Edema,Headache,Seizure,Vertigo,Fluid/electrolyte disturbances,Adrenal suppression,Psychosis,Insomnia,Pseudotumor cerebri (on withdrawal),Acne,Osteoporosis,Myopathy,Delayed wound healing Potentially Fatal: Abrupt withdrawal leading to acute adrenal insufficiency manifesting as malaise, weakness, mental changes, muscle and joint pains, dystonia, hypoglycaemia, hypotension, dehydration and death. Rapid IV inj may cause CV collapse. Pregnancy Category Note: Pregnancy Category: C Lactation: systemically administered corticosteroids enter breast milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other effects; use with caution Interaction: Increased hyperglycaemia and hypokalaemia with thiazide diuretics. Increased incidence of peptic ulcer or GI bleeding with concurrent NSAIDs admin. Response to anticoagulants altered. Dose of antidiabetics and antihypertensives needs to be increased. Decreases serum conc of salicylates and antimuscarinic agents. Potentially Fatal: Reduced efficacy with concurrent use of carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates and rifampicin. Enhanced effect in women taking oestrogens or oral contraceptives.