Flosteron (Diprospan)

Pharmaceutical name: Betamethasone (Dipropionate / Sodium Phosphate)

Betamethsone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, the most active of the anti-infalammatory steroids, used topically as an anti-infalmmatory and administered orally as a replacment therapy for adrenal insufficiency. Its derivative Betamethasone Dipropionate is a corticosteroid with mainly glucocorticocoid activity. It has slow but more prolonged actions.
Betamethasone Dipropionate is used topically in the treatment of various skin disorders. Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate is a corticosteroid which is used topically or rectally as sodium phosphate as an antiinflammatory steroid.

Therapeutic actions:
Synthetic, long-acting glucocorticoid that depresses formation, release, and activity of endogenous mediators of inflammation, including prostaglandins, kinins, histamine, liposomal enzymes, and complement system. Also modifies body's immune response.

Indications:
Systemic treatment of primary or secondary adrenal cortex insufficiency, rheumatic disorders, collagen diseases, dermatologic diseases, allergic states, allergic and inflammatory ophthalmic processes, respiratory diseases, hematologic disorders, neoplastic diseases, edematous states (resulting from nephrotic syndrome), GI diseases, multiple sclerosis, tuberculous meningitis and trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement.
Relief of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.

Contraindications:
Systemic fungal infections; IM use in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; administration of live virus vaccines when patient is receiving immunosuppressive doses.
Monotherapy in primary bacterial infections. Do not use on face, groin, or axilla or for ophthalmic treatments.

Cautions:
Pregnancy, Category C. Lactation, Excreted in breast milk, Growth and development of infants and children on prolonged therapy must be monitored, even with topical treatment.
Elderly may require lower doses. Consider benefits relative to risks. Hypersensitivity
Anaphylactoid reactions have occurred rarely.
Adrenal suppression
Prolonged therapy may lead to HPA suppression.
Can cause elevated BP, salt and water retention, and increased potassium and calcium excretion. Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary.
Hepatitis
May be harmful in chronic active hepatitis positive for hepatitis B surface antigen.
Infections, may mask signs of infection. May decrease host-defense mechanisms.
Ocular effects. Caution patient to discontinue medication and notify health care provider if affected area worsens or develops irritation, redness, burning, swelling, or stinging.

Side effects
Cardiovascular:
Thromboembolism or fat embolism; thrombophlebitis; necrotizing angiitis; cardiac arrhythmias or ECG changes; syncopal episodes; hypertension; myocardial rupture; CHF, CNS.
Convulsions; increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri); vertigo; headache; neuritis/paresthesias; psychosis; fatigue; insomnia.