Betamethasone is a systemic corticosteroid used to relieve inflammation in various conditions, including but not limited to allergic states, dermatologic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and hematological disorders. Betamethasone is a long-acting corticosteroid with immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory properties.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 6 references
Glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil apoptosis and demargination, and inhibit NF-Kappa B and other inflammatory transcription factors. They also inhibit phospholipase A2, leading to decreased formation of arachidonic acid derivatives. In addition, glucocorticoids promote anti-inflammatory genes like interleukin-10.
Corticosteroids like betamethasone can act through nongenomic and genomic pathways. The genomic pathway is slower and occurs when glucocorticoids activate glucocorticoid receptors and initiate downstream effects that promote transcription of anti-inflammatory genes including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), IL-1-receptor antagonist, and tyrosine amino transferase (TAT). On the other hand, the nongenomic pathway is able to elicit a quicker response by modulating T-cell, platelet and monocyte activity through the use of existing membrane-bound receptors and second messengers.
- Primary indication
- As a member of the corticosteroid family, betamethasone is indicated for the treatment of several inflammatory conditions.Curator reviewed · 105 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C22H29FO5 · 392.4611 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1998 · United States, 1965
- Also known as
- beta-Methasone alcohol · Betadexamethasone
- Code names
- NSC-39470 · SCH-4831
- Brand names
Resolves to
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Which drugs share a target with Betamethasone, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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