BENTELAN ® a drug based on Betamethasone.
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Unassociated corticosteroids
Indications BENTELAN ® Betamethasone
BENTELAN ® is indicated in the treatment of all those pathologies for which corticosteroid therapy is required such as bronchial asthma, allergies, inflammatory dermatoses, chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis and neoplastic pathologies affecting the lymphatic tissue.
Mechanism of action BENTELAN ® Betamethasone
The betamethasone present in BENTELAN ® is a synthetic corticosteroid that can be taken orally, through effervescent tablets that make its administration simpler and pharmacokinetically advantageous.
In fact, the maximum blood peak of betamethasone is observed only after 2 hours from the oral intake of BENTELAN ® and gradually decreases in the following 24 hours, thanks to a hepatic metabolism.
Linked to plasma proteins such as transcortin, betamethasone reaches target tissues and cells, permeating the cell membrane and binding nuclear receptors, capable of acting on DNA by modulating gene expression in favor of an anti-inflammatory activity.
This activity, which represents the therapeutic property for which corticosteroids are used, is carried out through the synthesis of a protein known as lipocortin, able to prevent, by inhibiting the phospholipase enzyme, the formation of arachidonic acid and pro-inflammatory mediators derivatives such as prostaglandins, prostacyclines and leukotrienes, thus inhibiting the recall and activation processes in the inflammatory cellular component and the various platelet and vascular modifications.
Although deriving from hydrocortisone, betamethasone has a very low mineralocorticoid activity in spite of the particularly marked glucorticoid activity, which manifests itself with an increase in blood sugar through the gluconeogenic pathway, hepatic glycogenosynthesis and lipogenesis, particularly concentrated in the upper areas of the body like the face.
This and other biological properties limit the use of corticosteroids to serious pathologies for which therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is not sufficient to shut down the reactive process.
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
1. BETAMETHASONE IN THE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Clin Drug Investig. 2004; 24: 265-74.
Effect of betamethasone-loratadine combination therapy on severe exacerbations of allergic rhinitis: a randomized, controlled trial.
Snyman JR, Potter PC, Groenewald M, Levin J; for the Claricort Study Group.
Study demonstrating the efficacy of betamethasone at 1 mg / day for limited periods of time (5 - 7 days) in reducing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, characterized by nasal obstruction and malaise. The therapy was effective both with and without it. addition of antihistamines.
2. BETAMETASONE IN NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Eur J Neurol. 2011 Apr; 18: 564-70.
Efficacy of very-low-dose betamethasone on neurological symptoms in ataxia-telangiectasia.
Broccoletti T, Del Giudice E, Cirillo E, Vigliano I, Giardino G, Ginocchio VM, Bruscoli S, Riccardi C, Pignata C.
Italian study that demonstrates how low-dose betamethasone can be effective in improving neurological symptoms in patients suffering from ataxia-telangiectasia, a progressive and non-curable neurodegenerative disorder.
3. TREATMENT WITH CORTICOSTEROIDS AND OSTEOPOROSIS
Wiad Lek. 1990 Oct 1-15; 43 (19-20): 940-4.
Osteoporosis caused by long-term steroid therapy of patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis.
Lewczuk J, Wrabec K, Piszko P, Jagas J.
Exemplary study demonstrating how prolonged treatment of bronchial asthma with corticosteroids can increase the risk of osteoporosis in patients undergoing therapy. Predisposing factors such as smoking, sex, age and duration of treatment seem to play an important role in the progression of the disease.
Method of use and dosage
BENTELAN ® effervescent tablets of 0.5 - 1 mg of betamethasone:
the dosage should be formulated by the doctor after a "careful evaluation of the physio-pathological state of the patient and his clinical picture.
Usually in short-term therapy and in the attack phase of long-term therapy, the dosage of betamethasone varies between 2 and 3 mg daily, while in the maintenance phase the dosage varies between 0.5 - 1 mg daily.
The formulation in effervescent tablets, makes it quite convenient to take this medicine.
Warnings BENTELAN ® Betamethasone
The important biological characteristics of betamethasone expose patients undergoing drug therapy to particular risks.
Therefore it is important to consider the necessary precautions, before resorting to the use of this medicine, to minimize the risk of serious side effects.
It is therefore necessary to rely on medical personnel both before and during the entire therapeutic protocol.
Patients with liver disease, inadequately treated latent infections and congestive heart failure should take BENTELAN ® with particular caution and under close medical supervision.
Furthermore, the hyperglycemic and calcium excretory action of betamethasone could worsen the clinical picture of diabetic and osteoporotic patients.
The potential neurological symptoms such as headache, dizziness and anxiety described after taking BENTELAN ® could make it dangerous to use machines and drive vehicles.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
At the moment the data relating to the use of betamethasone in pregnancy are contradictory, given the potential alterations of the hormonal picture related to the intake of this active ingredient.
Consequently, administration of BENTELAN ® during pregnancy or during the lactation period should only be carried out in case of real need and under close medical supervision.
Interactions
The betamethasone contained in BENTELAN ® can dramatically modify the therapeutic and biological effects of different active ingredients, determining for example an increase in hypokalemia induced by amphotericin B, thiazide diuretics and furosemide, antagonizing instead the therapeutic action of oral anticoagulants, anticholinesterases, NSAIDs and contrast media.
On the contrary, the pharmacokinetic and therapeutic properties of betamethasone can be altered by the concomitant intake of estrogens, barbiturates, phenytoin, ephedrine and rifampicin.
The metabolic effects of corticosteroids may also require an increase in the dosage of hypoglycemic agents in diabetic patients.
Contraindications BENTELAN ® Betamethasone
BENTELAN ® is contraindicated in the course of systemic infections without adequate therapy or in the course of immunizing procedures of various kinds.
Betamethasone is also contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient, skin and mucosal abrasions of various kinds.
Undesirable Effects - Side Effects
Although betamethasone is structurally formulated in such a way as to minimize the mineralocorticoid effect, long-term therapy with this hormone has been associated with various and widespread disorders at:
- Cardiovascular with the onset of edema, hypertension and heart failure;
- Central with headache, dizziness, anxiety, euphoria, insomnia, personality changes and depressive syndromes;
- Dermatological, characterized by acne, rash, urticaria, hypertrichosis, dermatitis etc;
- Endocrine with the appearance of amenorrhea, adrenocortical insufficiency, growth disturbances and alterations of the hypothalamus pituitary axis;
- Gastrointestinal, punctuated by vomiting, diarrhea, ulcer, constipation and abdominal pain;
- Muscular and skeletal with the presence of arthropathy, osteoporosis, bone fragility, myalgia, hypotrophy and tendon and joint damage;
- Ocular with the appearance of cataracts and ocular hypertension;
- Nutritional-metabolic with the significant increase in glycemic concentrations in the face of a negative nitrogen balance.
Note
BENTELAN ® sold only under medical prescription.
The use of BENTELAN ® in sports, without therapeutic need constitutes DOPING.
The information on BENTELAN ® Betamethasone published on this page may be out of date or incomplete. For a correct use of this information, see the Disclaimer and useful information page.
