betamethasone

[bey-tuh-meth-uh-sohn, bee-]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic analogue of a glucocorticoid, C 22 H 29 FO 5 , used in various forms in the treatment of inflammation, allergies, and tumors, and for replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency.

Word History and Origins

Origin of betamethasone¹

Perhaps beta + meth(yl) + -a- connective vowel + (hydrocorti)sone, components of the chemical name

Example Sentences

The source of all the trouble was a medication called betamethasone, which Baffert has steadfastly argued was administered in an ointment for a rash on Medina Spirit’s hindquarters.

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Baffert was tipped off about a week later that there was a positive medication test for betamethasone, a drug that is legal but not on race day, and flew to Louisville.

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He held a fiery impromptu news conference in which he said that he did not give the colt betamethasone.

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When the positive test was revealed, Baffert initially disputed it in the strongest terms only to reverse course a few days later and say the drug, betamethasone, was administered through an ointment to treat a rash.

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In 2021, his colt Medina Spirit won the Derby but subsequently was disqualified after testing positive for betamethasone, a potent corticosteroid used to reduce pain and inflammation.

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