[3] It can be taken by mouth, injected into a muscle, or applied to the skin, typically in cream, lotion, or liquid forms.

[3][4] Serious side effects include an increased risk of infection, muscle weakness, severe allergic reactions, and psychosis.

[3] It is a stereoisomer of dexamethasone, the two compounds differing only in the spatial configuration of the methyl group at position 16 (see steroid nomenclature).

[8][9] Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is available as a pill, by injection, and as an ointment, cream, lotion, gel, or aerosol (spray) for the skin, and a foam for the scalp.

[12] This approach has replaced circumcision as the preferred treatment method for some physicians in the British National Health Service.

[citation needed] In the United States and Canada, betamethasone is mixed with clotrimazole and sold as Lotrisone and Lotriderm.