Betamethasone is a
steroid medication. It is used for a number of diseases including
rheumatic disorders such as
rheumatoid arthritis and
systemic lupus erythematosus, skin diseases such as
dermatitis and
psoriasis, allergic conditions such as
asthma and
angioedema,
preterm labor to speed the development of the baby,
Crohn disease, cancers such as
leukemia, and along with
fludrocortisone for
adrenocortical insufficiency, among others. It can be taken by mouth,
injected into a muscle, or applied as a cream. When given by injection,
anti-inflammatory effects begin in around two hours and last for seven days.
