Comprimés solubles de bétaméthasone

About betamethasone

Betamethasone belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It is sometimes referred to simply as an oral steroid.

Oral steroids like betamethasone are used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Some examples include autoimmune diseases (for example, lupus érythémateux systémique, hépatite auto-immune, sarcïdose); joint and muscle diseases (for example, polyarthrite rhumatoïde); and allergies et asthme. They are also used in the treatment of some cancers. Betamethasone works by interfering with the release of certain chemicals in the body which cause inflammation.

Betamethasone is also prescribed as a replacement treatment for people who are not producing enough natural corticosteroid in their bodies due to an adrenal gland disorder called hyperplasie congénitale des surrénales (HCS).

Before taking betamethasone

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking betamethasone it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous avez une hypertension artérielle (hypertension).

• Si vous avez eu une crise cardiaque, ou si vous avez d'autres problèmes cardiaques.

• Si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de votre foie, ou si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de vos reins.

• Si vous (ou un membre proche de votre famille) avez soit le diabète, soit une affection oculaire appelée glaucome.

• Si vous avez l'une des conditions suivantes : une glande thyroïde sous-active, un 'amincissement' des os (ostéoporose), l'épilepsie, une condition causant une faiblesse musculaire (appelée myasthénie grave), un ulcère de l'estomac ou un trouble intestinal.

• Si vous avez déjà eu un problème de santé mentale.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (Oral steroids like betamethasone can be taken while you are expecting or breastfeeding; however, it is important that your doctor knows about the baby.)

• Si vous avez actuellement une quelconque infection, ou si vous avez déjà eu la tuberculose (TB).

• Si vous avez déjà eu un caillot sanguin indésirable dans une artère ou une veine.

• Si vous avez récemment reçu, ou êtes sur le point de recevoir, des vaccinations.

• Si vous prenez ou utilisez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médecines complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament, ou si vous avez déjà ressenti des douleurs musculaires après avoir pris un médicament stéroïdien.

How to take betamethasone

• Before starting the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack and any additional information you are given by your doctor. These will give you more information about betamethasone and will also provide you with a full list of side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many tablets to take and when to take them. This information will also be printed on the label of the packet of tablets to remind you about what was said to you. It is usual to take one dose a day. If you are taking it for an inflammatory condition, it is best to take the tablets each morning after breakfast. If you are taking it for CAH, it is likely you will be advised to take your doses at night.

• Betamethasone tablets are best taken dissolved in water, although they can be swallowed whole. Take your doses with food, such as after a meal or with a snack.

• Si vous oubliez de prendre une dose à l'heure habituelle, prenez-la dès que vous vous en souvenez (avec quelque chose à manger). Si vous ne vous en souvenez que le lendemain, laissez tomber la dose oubliée. Ne prenez pas deux doses ensemble pour compenser une dose oubliée.

• Depending upon your medical condition, you will either be asked to take betamethasone regularly every day, or to take it daily for a short course of treatment. It is important that you take the tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. Stopping taking the tablets suddenly after taking them for more than three weeks can cause problems, so your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually if/when this becomes necessary.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• If your course of treatment is due to last more than three weeks, you will be given a 'Steroid Treatment Card' which says that you are on steroids and contains some important advice for you. It is important that you read this card and carry it with you at all times. It also contains details about your dose, how long you have been taking betamethasone for, and who prescribed it for you. Please make sure that this information is kept up to date. If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, or if you are having any treatment for an injury, please tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking betamethasone and show them your treatment card. This is because your dose may need adjusting.

• Essayez de respecter vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Cela permet à votre médecin de suivre vos progrès. Votre médecin souhaitera que vous passiez des tests de temps en temps pour s'assurer que vous restez à l'abri de certains effets secondaires indésirables du traitement.

• Betamethasone can suppress your immune system, so it is important if you become ill that you make an appointment to see your doctor straightaway. Also, if you come into contact with anyone who has measles, shingles or chickenpox (or anyone who suspects they might have them), you doivent see your doctor as soon as possible.

• Some vaccines are not suitable for you while you are being treated with betamethasone. If you need any immunisations, make sure you mention that you are taking betamethasone.

• If you buy any medicines 'over the counter', please check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take with an oral steroid.

Can betamethasone cause problems?

Along with its useful effects, betamethasone can cause unwanted side-effects which your doctor will discuss with you. The benefits of taking betamethasone usually outweigh the side-effects; however, they can sometimes be troublesome. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with betamethasone. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below.

Bien que tout le monde ne ressente pas d'effets secondaires, et que certains s'améliorent à mesure que votre corps s'adapte au nouveau médicament, parlez à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien si vous êtes préoccupé par l'un des éléments suivants :

Important: you should let your doctor know if you start to experience blurred vision or other vision problems whilst taking betamethasone tablets.

For more information about side-effects which are possible when betamethasone is taken long-term, see the separate condition leaflet called Stéroïdes oraux.

How to store betamethasone

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments