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Dexamethasone Questions
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Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
Dexamethasone
(dex-ah-
METH-ah-zohn)
Oral: Decadron
Dexameth
Dexamethasone Intensol
Dexasone
Dexone
Hexadrol
(Rx).
Topical: Aeroseb-Dex
Decaderm
(Rx).
Ophthalmic: Maxidex Ophthalmic
(Rx)
Classification:
Glucocorticoid, synthetic
See Also:
See also
Corticosteroids
[.
]
Action/Kinetics:
Long-acting. Low degree of sodium and water retention. Diuresis may ensue when transferred from other corticosteroids to dexamethasone.
t
1/2: 110-210 min.
Additional Uses
In acute allergic disorders, PO dexamethasone may be combined with dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection and used for 6 days. To test for adrenal cortical hyperfunction. Cerebral edema due to brain tumor, craniotomy, or head injury.
Investigational: Diagnosis of depression. Antiemetic in cisplatin-induced vomiting. Prophylaxis or treatment of acute mountain sickness. Decrease hearing loss in bacterial meningitis. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants. Hirsutism.
Contraindications:
Use for replacement therapy in adrenal cortical insufficiency.
Special Concerns:
Use during pregnancy only if benefits outweigh risks.
Additional Drug Interactions:
Ephedrine
 effect of dexamethasone R/T
 liver breakdown.
How Supplied:
Concentrate: 1 mg/mL;
Elixir: 0.5 mg/5 mL;
Ophthalmic suspension: 0.1%;
Tablet: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg
Dosage
?Oral Concentrate Tablets, Elixir
Most uses.
Initial: 0.75-9 mg/day;
maintenance: gradually reduce to minimum effective dose (0.5-3 mg/day).
Suppression test for Cushing's syndrome.
0.5 mg q 6 hr for 2 days for 24-hr urine collection (or 1 mg at 11 p.m. with blood withdrawn at 8 a.m. for blood cortisol determination).
Suppression test to determine cause of pituitary ACTH excess.
2 mg q 6 hr for 2 days (for 24-hr urine collection).
Acute allergic disorders or acute worsening of chronic allergic disorders.
Day 1: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection, 4-8 mg IM.
Days 2 and 3: Two 0.75-mg dexamethasone tablets b.i.d.
Day 4: One 0.75-mg dexamethasone tablet b.i.d.
Days 5 and 6: One 0.75-mg dexamethasone tablet.
Day 7: No treatment.
Day 8: Follow-up visit to physician.
?Topical Aerosol, Cream
Apply sparingly as a light film to affected area b.i.d.-t.i.d.
?Ophthalmic Suspension
1-2 gtt in the conjunctival sac q hr during day and q 2 hr during night until a satisfactory response obtained;
then, 1 gtt q 4 hr and finally 1 gtt q 6-8 hr. |
