Celestone Injection (4 mg/mL)

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Solution Color according to product specification Odor unknown Harmful by inhalation. May be harmful if absorbed through skin or if swallowed. May cause developmental effects. May cause reproductive effects. Causes effects to: endocrine system May cause effects to: muscoloskeletal system nervous system gastrointestinal tract immune system liver kidney reproductive system fetus

Potential health effects

The health hazard information presented below is for the active ingredient in this product. Betamethasone is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid used in the treatment of various disease states. As a class, corticosteroids are known to cause systemic effects such as reversible supression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, increased blood sugar, sugar in the urine, impairment of glucose tolerance, and changes in general metabolism, bone metabolism, white blood cell counts, and some blood serum chemistry levels. The clinical relevance of these changes in healthy adults is unknown. Cushing's syndrome may occur from excessive exposure to corticosteroids. Use of aerosolized corticosteroid inhalers has caused nasal irritation or burning, occasional sneezing, runny or bloody nose. Rare instances of nasal ulceration, septum perforation and increased intraocular pressure have been reported following prolonged use of or overexposure to aerosolized corticosteroids. Prolonged use of systemic steroids is also known to be associated with the formation of cataracts and glaucoma. Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection, and opportunistic infections may appear during their use due to effects on immune system. Persons with pre-existing skin conditions including dermatitis and acne, a history of asthma, or those taking or those with a history of taking systemic steroids are more susceptible to allergic reactions from exposure to steroids. Serious health effects including death have occured in asthmatic patients during transfer from systemic corticosteroid to topical corticosteroid clinical use. The most common side effects in studies with betamethasone-containing topical preparations were local, including erythema, steroid-induced rosacea (redness, acne-like reaction on face), mild burning, itching, skin dryness and irritation. Betamethasone has been shown to decrease collagen synthesis in human skin following treatment with topical cream. Adverse reactions reported following injection of betamethasone include effects on fluid and electrolytes, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, neurological, endocrine, ophthalmic and metabolic parameters. Corticosteroids are teratogenic in laboratory animals and may be considered teratogenic in non-human primates as well. Widespread clinical use of corticosteroids has resulted in very few reports of teratogenic activity in humans. There is no evidence of impaired fertility in humans treated with corticosteroids although hypo-adrenalism may occur in infants born to mothers receiving corticosteroids during pregnancy. LISTED CARCINOGENS No carcinogens or potential carcinogens listed by OSHA, IARC, NTP or ACGIH are present in concentrations >0.1% in this mixture.