Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate and Betamethasone Acetate and Gallium Nitrate

• Generic Name: betamethasone
• Dosage Forms: injection, suspension
• Other Brand Names: Celestone Soluspan, Celestone, Celestone Phosphate, Selestoject, Cell-U-Jec, Adbeon, Beta-Phos/AC

Betamethasone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Betamethasone is used to treat many different inflammatory conditions such as allergic reactions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, inflammation of the joints or tendons, and problems caused by low adrenal gland hormone levels.

Betamethasone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: gallium nitrate
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Ganite

Used in conjunction with adequate hydration for the management of symptomatic hypercalcemia associated with malignant neoplasms in patients whose hypercalcemia is not adequately managed with conventional methods of treatment (e.g., hydration alone); designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use.

More conservative measures than gallium therapy (e.g., hydration alone or combined with diuretics) generally are used for mild or asymptomatic hypercalcemia.

Has been used alone and in combination with other antineoplastic agents for the treatment of advanced or metastatic bladder carcinoma; however, other agents are preferred.