Betamethasone

[[Category:Immunosuppression agent, Immunosuppression agent,

Steroid replacement agent ]]

=Introduction

Betamethasone is a steroid with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. It is used to treat a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Indications include:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Asthma
• Croup in children
• dermatitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Equivalent anti-inflammatory doses of steroids
Prednisolone 5 mg is equivalent to	Peak plasma levels in about one hour after ingestion. Absorption from transdermal patches is slow and peak plasma concentrations are reached in 10 to 16 hours after applying the first patch; with subsequent patches, peak concentrations are reached in about 8 hours.
Metabolism	Primarily metabolized through hydrolysis. Minimal metabolism occurs via the cytochrome P450.
Elimination half-life	1.5 hours after oral doses and about 3 hours after patch removal.