Celestone Chronodose

Generic Name: Betamethasone sodium phosphate/Betamethasone acetate
Product Name: Celestone Chronodose

Indication: What Celestone Chronodose is used for

Celestone Chromodose is a type of drug known as a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids play a vital role in the treatment of a wide variety of inflammatory and immune disorders, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and prevention of transplant rejection.

Corticosteroids also have many other uses. If you are unsure why Celestone Chronodose has been prescribed for you, contact your doctor.

Action: How Celestone Chronodose works

Celestone Chronodose contains the active ingredient Betamethasone, which is a type of drug known as a corticosteroid.

Corticosteroids work by suppressing the immune system and inflammatory responses, which makes them extremely useful in a wide range of medical conditions. Corticosteroids reduce the production of hormone-like substances in the body that function to activate the immune system and inflammatory response. The net result is a reduction in inflammation and suppression of undesirable immune reactions.

Dose advice: How to use Celestone Chronodose

This medicine is available only on prescription through your doctor.

This medicine is not for self-administration, and should be administered only by a physician or authorised nurse.

Always tell your doctor you are being treated with Celestone Chronodose before being prescribed other medication or purchasing over the counter medicines.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you suffer from any medical conditions before using this medicine.

Celestone Chronodose should be used with caution in patients who are pregnant (ADEC Pregnancy Category C) or breastfeeding – always tell your doctor you are pregnant or breast feeding before using Celestone Chronodose.

Schedule

Schedule 4 (prescription only) medicine

Side effects of Celestone Chronodose

Common side effects

All medicines may cause side effects. Individuals often react differently to different medicines. Your doctor has weighed the risks against the benefits of you taking Celestone Chronodose. Consult your doctor if any of the below side effects concern you.

The following side effects occur in 1% or more of patients taking Celestone Chronodose:

• Indigestion;
• Increased susceptibility to infection (e.g. oral or vaginal thrush);
• Acne;
• Increased appetite;
• Bruising or thinning of the skin;
• Delayed wound healing;
• Muscle weakness;
• Change of mood – euphoria or depression;
• Fat redistribution (long-term treatment only);
• Menstrual irregularities;
• Insomnia.

Uncommon side effects

The following side effects occur in less than 0.1% of patients taking Celestone Chronodose:

• Peptic ulceration – seek urgent medical attention if you develop gnawing or burning pain in the abdominal region or rectal bleeding;
• Glaucoma – regular visits to an optometrist are advisable when undergoing long-term treatment;
• Cataracts – report any changes in vision to your doctor;
• Allergic reactions – tell your doctor if you have had any prior incidence of allergic reactions to medicines.

Consult your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms, or any other unusual or abnormal symptoms that concern you.

References

1. Australian Medicines Handbook 2007, Adelaide, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 2007.
2. MIMS Online. [Monograph online] MIMS Australia Pty Ltd 2003. [Cited December 6, 2007]. Available from: [URL Link]
3. Lazo, J, Gilman A, Brunton L et al. Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 11th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2006.
4. Golan DE, Tashjian AH, Armstrong EJ, Galanter JM, Armstrong AW, Arnout RA, Rose HS. Principles of Pharmacology; The Pathophysiologic Basis of Drug Therapy. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.

For further information talk to your doctor.