Diprospan injection is a combination medication containing betamethasone dipropionate and betamethasone sodium phosphate. Betamethasone dipropionate is a glucocorticoid steroid with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive abilities while betamethasone sodium phosphate is a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid and a corticosteroid ester.
Diprospan is a popular depot steroid compound used for the treatment of acute and chronic corticosteroid-responsive diseases, such as synovitis associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and tendinitis, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhus dermatitis, neurodermatitis, chronic hypertrophic lichen simplex, alopecia areata, and psoriasis. Corticosteroid hormone therapy is an adjunct to, and not a replacement for, conventional therapy. Indications include:
Musculoskeletal and Soft Tissue Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; bursitis; ankylosing spondylitis; epicondylitis; radiculitis; coccydynia; sciatica; lumbago; torticollis; ganglion cyst; exostosis; fasciitis.
Allergic Conditions: Chronic bronchial asthma (including adjunctive therapy for status asthmaticus); hay fever; angioneurotic edema; allergic bronchitis; seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis; drug reactions; serum sickness; insect bites.
Dermatologic Conditions: Atopic dermatitis (nummular eczema); neurodermatitis (circumscribed lichen simplex); contact dermatitis; severe solar dermatitis; urticaria; hypertropic lichen planus; necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum; alopecia areata; discoid lupus erythematosus; psoriasis; keloids; pemphigus; dermatitis herpetiformis; cystic acne.
Collagen Diseases: Disseminated lupus erythematosus; scleroderma; dermatomyositis; periarteritis nodosa.
Neoplastic Diseases: For palliative management of leukemias and lymphomas in adults; acute leukemia of childhood.
Other Conditions: Adrenogenital syndrome; ulcerative colitis, regional ileitis; sprue; podiatric conditions (bursitis under heloma durum, hallux rigidus, digiti quinti varus); affections requiring subconjunctival injection; corticosteroid-responsive blood dyscrasias; nephritis, and nephrotic syndrome.
How it works
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid drug, sometimes called a steroid. Steroids reduce the amount of inflammatory chemicals your body makes. They also reduce your body’s natural immune response, which helps to control inflammation.
Before using Diprospan,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to betamethasone, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Diprospan. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the following: other corticosteroid medications and other topical medications.
• tell your doctor if you have an infection or have ever had diabetes, liver disease, or Cushing’s syndrome (an abnormal condition that is caused by excess hormones [corticosteroids]). .
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using Diprospan, call your doctor immediately.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Diprospan.
How is Diprospan given?
Diprospan is injected into a muscle, joint, or lesion, or given as a shallow injection just beneath the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. Your dosage needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.
You should not stop using betamethasone suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose.
In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use steroid medicine.
What should I avoid while taking Diprospan medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. If you are taking this medicine over a prolonged period, carry an identification card with your name and address, the type and dose of your medicine, and your doctor’s name and address.
This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Stay away from people who are sick. Tell your doctor or health care professional if you are around anyone with measles or chickenpox.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you have taken this medicine within the last twelve months.
Ask your doctor or health care professional about your diet. You may need to lower the amount of salt you eat.
This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your healthcare provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.
You may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines while you are taking this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have taken this medicine before receiving any vaccine.
What are the side effects of Diprospan?
Side effects of Diprospan that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• black, tarry stools
• breathing problems
• bulging eyes
• fever, sore throat, infection, sores that do not heal
• frequent passing of urine
• high blood pressure
• pain in hips, back, ribs, arms, shoulders, or legs
• signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as being more thirsty or hungry or having to urinate more than normal. You may also feel very tired or have blurry vision.
• swelling of feet or lower legs
Side effects of Diprospan that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• confusion, excitement, restlessness
• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• skin problems, acne, thin and shiny skin
• stomach upset
• trouble sleeping
• weight gain
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs interact with Diprospan?
If your doctor has directed you to use Diprospan, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.
Interactions of Diprospan include:
• aminoglutethimide
• amphotericin B injection and potassium-depleting agents
• antibiotics, specifical macrolide
• anticholinesterases
• oral anticoagulants
• antidiabetics
• antitubercular drugs
• cholestyramine
• cyclosporine
• digitalis glycosides
• estrogens, including oral contraceptives
• hepatic enzyme inducers (barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin)
• ketoconazole
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)
• diminished response to vaccines
This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.
