Side Effects:

Common Electrolyte imbalance, Redistribution/accumulation of body fat, Bone degradation, Increased risk of infection, Muscle disorders, Increased blood pressure, Altered bone growth, Skin scar, Behavioural changes, Cataract, Increased glucose level in blood.

Common Sleepiness.

Expert advice for Betamethasone
It is a steroid medicine which works well for many different conditions, including serious illnesses. Take regularly to gain maximum benefit. Do not discontinue unless advised by your doctor. You may need to decrease the dose gradually. You may get side effects such as mood changes or stomach problems. Notify your doctor if you get them. Some side effects may occur after weeks or months. These include weakness of arms and legs, or developing a rounder face. Your risk of getting an infection may become higher. Tell your doctor immediately if you have a fever, flu-like symptoms, cough, painful urination, or a wound that does not heal.

Expert advice for Fastlev Tablet

Use levocetirizine with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
It is best to take the drug at bedtime as it can make you drowzy.
Do not take levocetirizine if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to levocetirizine.
Take special care with levocetirizine and follow the advice of your doctor: if you suffer from epilepsy or are in any risk of having fits. if you suffer from kidney failure, because you may require a lower dosage.


Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs like antidepressants; medications for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures; ritonavir; sedatives; sleeping pills; theophylline; and tranquilizers, as it may worsen the side effects.
Consult your doctor before taking this drug if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Levocetrizine can cause drowsiness. Avoid engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery when taking.
Do not take alcohol with cetirizine, as it may worsen the side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Betamethasone a steroid?
Betamethasone is a glucocorticoid and belongs to a group of medicines called steroids also known as corticosteroids. These are synthesized naturally in the body and help to maintain health and well-being. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids are involved in a wide range of physiologic processes, including stress response, immune response, and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels, and behavior.

Q. Is Betamethasone safe to use?
Betamethasone is safe to use when used for an indication in a dose as advised by your doctor.

Q. Does Betamethasone cause hair loss?
Betamethasone is not known to cause hair loss. Rather, it may cause an increase in body hair growth (especially in females) on long-term use. Talk to your doctor if you get excessive hair growth on your body while taking Betamethasone.

Q. Is Betamethasone an antibiotic?
Betamethasone is not an antibiotic. It's a glucocorticoid.

Q. Does Betamethasone work in retention edema?
Betamethasone is not used in retention edema. Glucocorticoids can cause fluid and salt retention as a side effect thereby causing edema or aggravating edema. However, Betamethasone does not normally cause retention of salt and water and the risk of inducing edema and hypertension is almost negligible.

Q. Is Betamethasone stronger than hydrocortisone?
Betamethasone and hydrocortisone belong to the same class of medications (i.e. corticosteroids) and produce almost similar pharmacological responses. The effect may vary based on the conditions and individual response. Always follow doctor’s advice regarding its use.

Q. Can I take Betamethasone with ibuprofen?
An increase in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding may occur if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen are taken with corticosteroids. Talk to your doctor before taking Betamethasone with any NSAID.

Q. Does Betamethasone expire?
Yes, Betamethasone does expire. All the medicines come with an expiry date mentioned on the pack. You must check the expiry date before using any medicine.

Q. Does Betamethasone cause insomnia?
Betamethasone can cause insomnia (inability to sleep). Most people find that using this medicine for a short time causes no problems. Talk to your doctor if you experience insomnia while taking Betamethasone.

Q. Does Betamethasone cause weight gain?
Betamethasone can cause weight gain especially when high doses taken for a long time or repeated short courses are taken. Please consult your doctor if you experience weight gain after taking Betamethasone.

Q. Is Betamethasone a hydrocortisone?
Betamethasone is not a hydrocortisone. These are two different drugs which belong to the same group of medicines called steroids (also known as corticosteroids).

Q. Is Betamethasone over the counter?
Betamethasone is not an over the counter (OTC) medicine. It is available only when prescribed by a doctor.

Q. What is levocetirizine?
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine (H1-receptor blocker) and is used in the treatment of conditions like allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

Q. Is levocetirizine an over the counter (OTC) product?
Levocetirizine is not an over the counter (OTC) product. It's a prescription medicine.

Q. Is levocetirizine gluten free?
Levocetirizine is gluten free. Please refer to the package insert of the prescribed brand before use to know about the constituents.

Q. Is levocetirizine a narcotic substance?
Levocetirizine is not a narcotic substance. It belongs to the group of medicines known as antihistamines.

Q. Is levocetirizine a steroid?
Levocetirizine is not a steroid. It belongs to the group of medicines known as antihistamines.

Q. When to take levocetirizine?
The absorption of levocetirizine is not affected by food and hence can be taken with or without food. It should preferably be taken in the evening.

Q. Is levocetirizine a decongestant?
Levocetirizine is not a decongestant. It is an antihistamine used to relieve a runny nose, sneezing and redness, itching, and tearing of the eyes caused by allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

Q. Can levocetirizine be taken during pregnancy?
There are not many studies or data available on the effect of levocetirizine in pregnancy. Animal studies have not shown to cause any fetal (unborn child) damage. It should be used only when considered necessary by your doctor.

Q. What is levocetirizine used for?
Levocetirizine is an antihistamine drug. It is used for the treatment of conditions like allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

Q. Why should levocetirizine be taken at night?
Levocetirizine can be taken any time of the day. It is preferred to be taken at night as it can cause sleepiness and tiredness and you may have to be cautious while doing your day to day activities like driving or operating a machine. Follow your doctor's advice on the use of levocetrizine.

Q. What are the side effects of levocetirizine-montelukast combination?
The common side effects of levocetirizine are a headache, sleepiness, dry mouth, and fatigue. The common side effects of montelukast are a headache, upper respiratory infections, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Q. What are the side effects of levocetirizine during pregnancy?
There are not many studies or data available on the effect of levocetirizine in pregnancy. Animal studies have not shown to cause any fetal (unborn child) damage. It should be used only when considered necessary by your doctor.

Q. Does levocetirizine cause weight gain?
Levocetirizine has rarely seen to be associated with weight gain. If you experience any undue weight gain while using levocetrizine, talk to your doctor.

Q. What are the side effects of stopping levocetirizine?
Stopping levocetirizine therapy is generally not associated with any withdrawal effect. However, there are reports that some patients may experience itching if stopped at once. Consult your doctor if you experience any effect after stopping the drug.

Q. What are the long-term side effects of levocetirizine?
Levocetirizine is well-tolerated when taken for long-term. However, the drug is not devoid of side effects and can cause upper respiratory infections, transient abdominal pain, and headaches. Consult your doctor if you experience any side effects while using the drug.

Q. Can I take levocetirizine with montelukast?
Levocetirizine and montelukast are not known to have any interactions and can be safely taken together. A fixed-dose combination of levocetirizine and montelukast is available in the market. Both are indicated for allergic respiratory illnesses.

Q. What is the dose of levocetirizine?
Levocetirizine is available in different doses and the dose depends on the age of the patient and the condition for which it is prescribed. Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose of the drug.

Q. What is the price of levocetirizine?
The price of levocetirizine would vary according to the brand and it is mentioned on the pack of the medicine.

Q. Can I take levocetirizine for a cold?
Levocetirizine can be taken for relief of signs and symptoms of common cold. However, consult your doctor for the right treatment of the same.

Q. What is the difference between levocetirizine and cetirizine?
Levocetirizine is the (R) enantiomer of cetirizine. It is a highly selective blocker of histamine (H1) receptors. It is a more potent drug when compared on a dose basis to cetirizine. However, their response may vary from patient to patient. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Q. What is the difference between levocetirizine and fexofenadine?
Both levocetirizine and fexofenadine are highly selective H1 antihistamines. Fexofenadine is less sedative, less potent when compared on a dose basis, and longer acting when compared to levocetirizine. However, their response may vary from patient to patient. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Q. What is the difference between levocetirizine and desloratadine?
Desloratadine has higher H1 selectivity, longer action, and less sedative effect when compared to levocetirizine. They both are equipotent on an equivalent milligram basis. However, their response may vary from patient to patient. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Q. Can I take levocetirizine with ambroxol syrup?
Levocetirizine can be taken with ambroxol. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take levocetirizine with pseudoephedrine?
Levocetirizine can be taken with pseudoephedrine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take levocetirizine with alcohol?
Alcohol can increase the sedative effect (sleepiness) of levocetirizine when taken together. It is desirable to avoid alcohol intake while on the drug. Also, you need to be careful while taking this drug if you are driving or operating some machine.

Q. Can I take levocetirizine with paracetamol?
Levocetirizine can be taken with paracetamol. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take levocetirizine with phenylephrine?
Levocetirizine can be taken with phenylephrine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Does levocetirizine withdrawal cause itching?
Stopping levocetirizine therapy is generally not associated with any withdrawal effect. However, there are reports that some patients may experience itching if stopped at once. Consult your doctor if you experience any effect after stopping the drug.