Betamethasone

What is Betamethasone?

Betamethasone belongs to a group of medicines known as corticosteroids or steroids. It’s used to reduce inflammation and irritation in different parts of the body, including your mouth. Oral inflammatory disease (OID) is among the most common oral lesions (tissue damage), with oral ulcers being the most common OID. They’re also called mouth ulcers, oral ulceration, canker sores or aphtous sores.

Mouth ulcers are small, painful sores that can develop inside your mouth on the cheeks, tongue or lips. They’re often round or oval-shaped with a white or yellowish centre and a red border.

Mouth ulcers can be caused by biting your cheek, rough dental work, hormonal changes, genetics, deficiencies in vitamins B12 or iron, certain medications or quitting smoking. They typically heal on their own within one to two weeks but can cause discomfort while they’re present.^[1]

Betamethasone, when used as a mouthwash, can help with inflammation, pain relief and faster healing of mouth ulcers. However, its use as a mouthwash is considered off-label, as it’s not mentioned in the official patient information leaflet (PIL), which recommends dissolving and drinking the tablets. Nevertheless, this is officially recognised ^[2] and there’s plenty of clinical experience supporting its effectiveness for mouth ulcers when used as a mouthwash.

How does Betamethasone work?

Betamethasone is a type of steroid medicine. Steroids copy the effects of natural hormones produced in your adrenal glands and have various roles in your body. One important role is activating glucocorticoid receptors, which help control the synthesis and metabolism of sugars, lipids and proteins. Steroids also interact with receptors and messengers in your cells to influence the activity of immune system cells like T-cells and monocytes.^[3]

Steroids are versatile because they interact with various molecules and processes in your body. This is why Betamethasone soluble tablets are used to treat a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Are there different dosages of Betamethasone soluble tablets?

Betamethasone soluble tablets are only available in one strength: Betamethasone 500 microgram Soluble Tablets. Each tablet contains 500 micrograms (0.5mg) of betamethasone as betamethasone sodium phosphate.

How to take Betamethasone for mouth ulcers

Always stick to your clinician’s instructions when taking Betamethasone soluble tablets, but here are some general guidelines to follow:

1. Dissolve one tablet in 10-20mls of water (two to four teaspoons) to make your mouthwash.
2. Swish the mouthwash around your mouth for about 5 minutes, then spit it out. Don’t swallow it.

You can use Betamethasone soluble tablets as a mouthwash up to four times a day. It’s best to do it after your meals and right before bedtime, after you’ve brushed your teeth for the night.

It’s also best not to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after taking Betamethasone to allow the medication to work effectively.

What happens if I make a mistake while using Betamethasone?

If you forget to take a tablet of Betamethasone, don’t double your dose to make up for the missed one. Just take your next tablet at the regular time.

Don’t suddenly stop taking Betamethasone soluble tablets even if you feel better, unless your clinician says so. Stopping suddenly can make you feel unwell and cause symptoms like fever, joint and muscle pain, itchy eyes, mood changes, low blood pressure and more.

Keep an eye out for these side effects if you’ve been taking betamethasone tablets for a while or more than 2 tablets a day. If necessary, your clinician will guide you on how to gradually reduce your dose.

Do not swallow Betamethasone tablets when using them for mouth ulcers. They should be used as a mouthwash only, so once you’ve swished it around your mouth, spit the liquid out. If you do accidentally swallow the tablets, contact a doctor straight away for advice.

How long does Betamethasone take to work?

When you use Betamethasone as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers, it gets to work pretty quickly. It only takes a few minutes to start working and reduce symptoms like swelling, pain or discomfort. But remember, complete healing of your mouth ulcers takes a bit more time – about three to five days if you follow your clinician’s instructions. Keep in mind that everyone’s different, so your body’s response to the medicine may vary from others.