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Beta-Phos/AC Side Effects

Generic name: betamethasone

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 17, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about betamethasone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Beta-Phos/AC.

Applies to betamethasone: injection suspension.

Serious side effects of Beta-Phos/AC

Along with its needed effects, betamethasone (the active ingredient contained in Beta-Phos/AC) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking betamethasone:

Incidence not known

Other side effects of Beta-Phos/AC

Some side effects of betamethasone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to betamethasone: compounding powder, injectable solution, injectable suspension, oral syrup, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure, fat embolism, hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in premature infants, myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction, tachycardia, thrombophlebitis, vasculitis[Ref]

Endocrine

Frequency not reported: Development of cushingoid state, adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness (particularly during stress, e.g. trauma, surgery, illness), moon face[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Abdominal distension, bowel/bladder dysfunction (intrathecal administration), nausea, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, perforation of the small bowel and large intestine (particularly in inflammatory bowel disease patients), ulcerative esophagitis[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Decreased resistance to infection[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Suppression of growth in pediatric patients, Charcot-like arthropathy, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, pathologic fracture of long bones, post-injection flare (intra-articular use), steroid myopathy, tendon rupture, vertebral compression fractures[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (less than 0.1%): Blindness (periocular injection)

Frequency not reported: Exophthalmos, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, posterior subcapsular cataracts, vision blurred[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reaction, anaphylaxis[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Decreased carbohydrate and glucose tolerance, increased requirement for insulin or oral hypoglycemics, fluid retention, hypokalemic alkalosis, potassium loss, sodium retention, increased appetite, negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism, weight gain[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Angioedema, acne, allergic dermatitis, cutaneous and subcutaneous atrophy, dry scaly skin, ecchymosis and petechiae, erythema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, increased sweating, rash, sterile abscess, striae, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Syncope, convulsions, headache, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually following treatment discontinuation, neuritis, neuropathy, paresthesia, vertigo, arachnoiditis (intrathecal), meningitis (intrathecal), paraparesis/paraplegia (intrathecal), sensory disturbances (intrathecal)[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Depression, emotional instability, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, psychic disorders[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Edema, impaired wound healing, suppressed reactions to skin tests, calcinosis (intra-articular or intralesional use), abnormal fat deposits, malaise[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Glucosuria, increased or decreased motility and number of spermatozoa[Ref]

Hepatic

Serum liver enzyme elevations were usually reversible upon discontinuation.[Ref]

Frequency not reported: Elevation in serum liver enzyme, hepatomegaly[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Pulmonary edema, hiccups[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

References

1. Product Information. Celestone Soluspan (betamethasone). Merck & Co., Inc. 2019.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.