Betamethasone

The Basics

What is Betamethasone?

Highly potent steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Brand names for Betamethasone

Celestone Soluspan

How Betamethasone is classified

Corticosteroids – Systemic, Glucocorticoids, Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Betamethasone During Pregnancy

Betamethasone pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Betamethasone while pregnant

Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in many species when given in doses equivalent to the human dose. Animal studies in which corticosteroids have been given to pregnant mice, rats, and rabbits have yielded an increased incidence of cleft palate in the offspring. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Corticosteroids should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Infants born to mothers who have received corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.

Taking Betamethasone While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Betamethasone?

Betamethasone has not been well studied during breastfeeding after systemic or topical use. Systemic betamethasone is best avoided in favor of one of the shorter-acting and better studied alternatives because of its potency and low protein binding which would favor its passage into milk. Use of betamethasone 3 to 9 days prior to delivery of a preterm infant might decrease postpartum milk production in some women. Local injections, such as for tendinitis, would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants,[1] but might occasionally cause temporary loss of milk supply.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Betamethasone has not been well studied during breastfeeding after systemic or topical use. Systemic betamethasone is best avoided in favor of one of the shorter-acting and better studied alternatives because of its potency and low protein binding which would favor its passage into milk. Use of betamethasone 3 to 9 days prior to delivery of a preterm infant might decrease postpartum milk production in some women. Local injections, such as for tendinitis, would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants,[1] but might occasionally cause temporary loss of milk supply.

Possible effects of Betamethasone on milk supply

A 5.7 mg dose of depot betamethasone injected into the shoulder for bursitis had no effect in the milk supply in one mother.[2] However, medium to large doses of depot corticosteroids injected into joints have been reported to cause temporary reduction of lactation.[2][3]

A study of 46 women who delivered an infant before 34 weeks of gestation found that a course of betamethasone (2 intramuscular injections of 11.4 mg of betamethasone 24 hours apart) given between 3 and 9 days before delivery resulted in delayed lactogenesis II and lower average milk volumes during the 10 days after delivery. Milk volume was not affected if the infant was delivered less than 3 days or more than 10 days after the mother received the corticosteroid.[4]

A study of 87 pregnant women found that betamethasone given as above during pregnancy caused a premature stimulation of lactose secretion during pregnancy. Although the increase was statistically significant, the clinical importance appears to be minimal.[5]

Possible alternatives to Betamethasone

(Systemic) Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Prednisone.