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What Is a Betamethasone Injection?

S.J. Merens
S.J. Merens

The body normally maintains a certain level of natural corticosteroid hormones. These hormones are produced by the adrenal glands and have many essential functions, including regulating immune response and reducing inflammation. When corticosteroid levels drop too low or when serious inflammation develops, a doctor might prescribe an injection of betamethasone. This medication is a synthetic corticosteroid.

Although betamethasone and other corticosteroids might be referred to simply as steroids, they differ from anabolic steroids that are used to boost muscle mass and enhance athletic ability. Anabolic steroids are similar to androgens, or male hormones. Corticosteroids, in contrast, are similar to the hormone cortisol.

A diagram showing diseases of the colon. Betamethasone may help some patients with ulcerative colitis.
A diagram showing diseases of the colon. Betamethasone may help some patients with ulcerative colitis.

A betamethasone injection might contain betamethasone sodium phosphate alone or in combination with betamethasone acetate. Both are odorless white powders that have different levels of solubility in various types of fluid. Betamethasone sodium phosphate is very soluble in water, so it works quickly. The corticosteroid betamethasone acetate is only slightly soluble in water, so it provides longer-lasting effectiveness.

Betamethasone injections are often used in conjunction with physical therapy or other tendonitis treatments.
Betamethasone injections are often used in conjunction with physical therapy or other tendonitis treatments.

Levels of natural corticosteroids might become too low because of various health conditions. People who have Addison’s disease and those who have had their adrenal glands removed, for example, take medication to maintain proper corticosteroid levels. A sudden significant drop in corticosteroid levels might occur in these individuals during stress caused by injury, infection or psychological trauma. The plunge in corticosteroid levels might lead to shock and become life-threatening. A betamethasone injection can rapidly return corticosteroid levels to normal.

Betamethasone injections can be used to treat inflammation caused by bursitis.
Betamethasone injections can be used to treat inflammation caused by bursitis.

Corticosteroid hormones also control inflammation. A betamethasone injection helps reduce severe inflammation in autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. In addition, these injections are helpful for treating severe skin diseases such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and conditions that cause eye inflammation. A bethametasone injection can resolve a serious asthma attack or a severe allergic reaction that causes serious difficulty breathing.

A betamethasone injection may help to reduce inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
A betamethasone injection may help to reduce inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Doctors sometimes inject betamethasone into a specific area of inflamed tissue. The treatment reduces inflammation that is caused by conditions such as bursitis, tennis elbow, tendinitis and tenosynovitis, which involves inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon. Reducing this inflammation decreases pain and allows for better function of the affected area.

A player with tennis elbow or another painful sports injury may benefit from a betamethasone injection.
A player with tennis elbow or another painful sports injury may benefit from a betamethasone injection.

Patients usually receive a betamethasone injection in a medical setting, but some do take their own injections at home. Individuals who receive this medicine, particularly on a regular basis, must be aware of the many possible side effects associated with this powerful medication. Examples include weakened resistance to infections, changes in appetite, fluid retention and a rounded face. The injections also have negative interactions with numerous other medications, and certain health conditions make taking this corticosteroid inadvisable.

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    • A diagram showing diseases of the colon. Betamethasone may help some patients with ulcerative colitis.
      By: Alila
      A diagram showing diseases of the colon. Betamethasone may help some patients with ulcerative colitis.
    • Betamethasone injections are often used in conjunction with physical therapy or other tendonitis treatments.
      By: aykuterd
      Betamethasone injections are often used in conjunction with physical therapy or other tendonitis treatments.
    • Betamethasone injections can be used to treat inflammation caused by bursitis.
      By: Monkey Business
      Betamethasone injections can be used to treat inflammation caused by bursitis.
    • A betamethasone injection may help to reduce inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
      By: designua
      A betamethasone injection may help to reduce inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
    • A player with tennis elbow or another painful sports injury may benefit from a betamethasone injection.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      A player with tennis elbow or another painful sports injury may benefit from a betamethasone injection.
    • The body naturally produces corticosteroid hormones in the adrenal glands, but low levels of these hormones may require a betamethasone injection.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      The body naturally produces corticosteroid hormones in the adrenal glands, but low levels of these hormones may require a betamethasone injection.
    • A betamethasone injection may be administered to a person suffering from elbow inflammation.
      By: Lovrencg
      A betamethasone injection may be administered to a person suffering from elbow inflammation.
    • A betamethasone injection may be helpful to patients with multiple sclerosis.
      By: joshya
      A betamethasone injection may be helpful to patients with multiple sclerosis.