Betametasoon is 'n steroïedmedikasie. Dit word gebruik vir 'n aantal siektes, insluitend rumatiese afwykings soos rumatoïede artritis en sistemiese lupus erythematosus, velsiektes soos dermatitis en psoriase, allergiese toestande soos asma en angioedeem, premature kraam om die ontwikkeling van die baba se longe te bespoedig, Crohn se siekte, kankers soos leukemie, en saam met fludrokortisoon vir adrenokortikale ontoereikendheid, onder andere. Dit kan per mond geneem word, in 'n spier ingespuit word, of as 'n room toegedien. Wanneer dit deur inspuiting gegee word, anti-inflammatory effects begin in around two hours and last for seven days.
Betamethasone is available in a number of different preparations. It is likely you will be prescribed a cream if the affected areas of your skin are moist or weeping, an ointment if your skin is dry, or a lotion for larger or hairy areas of skin. It is also available as an application for the scalp. Betamethasone is not generally suitable for children, although short courses of up to two weeks may occasionally be prescribed for a child by a skin specialist doctor.
