Dexamethasone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What medicine is Dexamethasone?

Functions and benefits of the drug dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a drug that works to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood / hormone / immune system disorders, allergic reactions, certain skin and eye problems, respiratory problems, certain intestinal disorders, and certain cancers.

Dexamethasone is also used as a test for adrenal gland disorders (Cushing's syndrome).

The drug dexamethasone is a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). These drugs reduce the body's natural defense response and reduce symptoms such as inflammation and allergic reactions.

Dexamethasone can also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.

What are the rules for using dexamethasone?

Take dexamethasone according to the directions given by your doctor. It is recommended that you take this medicine at the same time as food or milk to prevent stomach upset.

Take this medication with a full glass of water (240 milliliters) unless your doctor advises otherwise. If you are using dexamethasone in liquid form, use a measuring device. Don't use a household spoon.

If you are taking this medication once a day, use it in the morning before 9 am. If you take this medication every day or on a schedule other than your daily schedule, mark your calendar with reminders.

The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may try to reduce your dose slowly over time to minimize side effects.

Take dexamethasone regularly for optimal benefits. It is important to continue taking this medication at the same time, even if you feel better. Ask your doctor how long you should take it.

Do not stop taking dexamethasone without consulting your doctor. Some conditions can get worse when the drug dexamethasone suddenly stops.

Your dexamethasone dose may need to be tapered off. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or gets worse.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store this drug?

Dexamethasone is a drug that should be stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom or freeze it.

Dexamethasone is a generic drug. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dexamethasone dosage for adults?

To treat Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), Croup, asthma, and anti-inflammatory, dexamethasone dosages are:

• Oral, infusion and injection as sodium phosphate: 0.75-9 mg daily in divided doses every 6-12 hours.
• Injectable in acetate form: 8-16 mg, can be repeated every 1-3 weeks.
• Injectable in acetate form: 0.8-1.6 mg.
• Injections into joints or soft tissues as acetate: 4-16 mg, can be repeated every 1-3 weeks.

To treat cerebral edema, the dosage of dexamethasone is:

• The initial dose is 10 mg IV (infusion / intravenously) once, followed by 4 mg by injection every 6 hours until the symptoms of cerebral edema subside. The dose can be reduced after 2-4 days and stopped slowly for 5-7 days.

To treat Cushing's syndrome, the dosage of dexamethasone is:

• Suppression test or diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome: 1 mg orally at 11:00 p.m. Blood plasma cortisol measurement at 8:00 am the next morning. Alternatively, give 0.5 mg orally every 6 hours for 48 hours (with 24-hour urine collection for excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid).

To treat nausea / vomiting due to chemotherapy, the dosage of dexamethasone is:

• Prophylaxis: 10 mg-20 mg orally or infusion, 15-30 minutes before treatment during the day of treatment.
• For continuous infusion of chemotherapy: 10 mg orally or infusion every 12 hours during the day of treatment.
• For emetogenic light therapy: 4 mg orally, infusion or injection every 4-6 hours.
• Delayed nausea and vomiting: 8 mg orally every 12 hours for 2 days then 4 mg every 12 hours for 2 days. Or, give 20 mg orally 1 hour before chemotherapy.

To treat shock, the dosage of dexamethasone is:

• Addisonian crisis / shock: 4-10 mg infusion as a single dose, repeat if necessary.
• Shock unresponsive: 1-6 mg / kg infusion as a single dose or up to 40 mg for the initial dose followed by repeated doses every 2 to 6 hours during shock.

To treat multiple myeloma, the dosage of dexamethasone is:

• Oral and infusion: 40 mg / day, days 1-4, 9-12, and 17-20, repeated every 4 weeks (single use or as part of combination treatment).

To treat multiple sclerosis, the dosage of dexamethasone is:

• Oral: 30 mg / day for 1 week, followed by 4 to 12 mg / day for 1 month.

To treat adrenal insufficiency, the dosage of dexamethasone is:

• Physiological substitutes: oral, injectable, infusion (should be given in the form of sodium phosphate): 0.03-0.15 mg / kg / day or 0.6-0.75 mg / m2 / day in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours

What is the dosage of Dexamethasone for children?

The dose of dexamethasone for children with cerebral edema

• Initial dose: 1-2 mg / kg once orally, infusion or injection.
• Maintenance dose: 1-1.5 mg / kg / day, given in divided doses every 4-6 hours for 5 days then tapered off slowly for 5 days, then discontinued use.
• Maximum dose: 16 mg / day.

Dosage of dexamethasone for anti-inflammatory in children

• 0.08-0.3 mg / kg / day or 2.5-5 mg / m2 / day in divided doses every 6-12 hours.

The dose of dexamethasone for treating asthma in children

• Asthma exacerbation: Oral, infusion, injection: 0.6 mg / kg once (maximum dose: 16 mg)

In what dosage and dosage is Dexamethasone available?

The available dosages of dexamethasone are:

• Concentrate, oral: Dexamethasone Intensol: 1 mg / mL (30 mL)
• Elixir, oral: Baycadron: 0.5 mg / 5 mL (237 mL)
• Generic: 0.5 mg / 5 mL (237 mL)
• Solution, oral: Generic: 0.5 mg / 5 mL (240 mL, 500 mL)
• Solution, injection, sodium phosphate: Generic: 4 mg / mL (1mL, 5 mL, 30 mL) 10 mg / mL (1 mL, 10 mL)
• Solution, injection, sodium phosphate: Generic: 10 mg / mL (1 mL)
• Tablet, oral:
  • DexPak 10 days: 1.5 mg
  • DexPak 13 days: 1.5 mg
  • DexPak 6 days: 1.5 mg
  • Generic: 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg.

Side effects

What side effects may occur due to Dexamethasone?

Some of the side effects that may occur from using dexamethasone include:

• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Mood swings
• Acne, dry skin, thinning of the skin, bruising or discoloration of the skin
• Slow wound healing
• Excessive sweating
• Headache, dizziness, spinning sensation
• Nausea, stomach pain, bloating
• Muscle weakness
• Changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in the arms, legs, face, neck, chest, and waist).

Not everyone experiences the above side effects of dexamethasone. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & warnings

What should be known before using this drug?

Some things you need to know before using dexamethasone include:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dexamethasone, aspirin, tartrazine (the yellow coloring in some processed foods and medicines), or any other medication.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about the prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin), arthritis medications, aspirin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics, ephedrine, estrogen (Premarin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral contraceptives, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
• If you have a yeast infection (other than your skin), do not use dexamethasone without consulting your doctor
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver, kidney, intestinal or heart disease, diabetes, underactive thyroid gland, high blood pressure, mental disorders, myasthenia gravis, osteoporosis, eye infections, herpes, tuberculosis (TB) seizures., or ulcers (sores)
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking dexamethasone, call your doctor
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about using dexamethasone
• If you have a history of ulcers or are taking high-dose aspirin or other arthritis medications, limit your alcohol consumption while using this medicine. Dexamethasone makes the stomach and intestines more susceptible to the irritating effects of alcohol, aspirin, and certain arthritis medications: these effects increase the risk of ulcers

Is Dexamethasone safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies conducted on pregnant women so the effect cannot be known with certainty.

However, animal studies that have become pregnant have shown adverse effects from the use of this drug. That is why, dexamethasone is considered a possible risk for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Consider the possible benefits and risks before using the drug dexamethasone while breastfeeding.

Interaction

What medicines may interact with this drug?

Drug interactions can change the performance of the dexamethasone drug or increase the risk of serious side effects.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

According to WebMD, you should avoid using the drug dexamethasone with the following drugs because of the risk of causing interactions:

• aminoglutethimide
• contraceptive or birth control pills
• certain cancer drugs (dasatinib, aldesleukin)
• chloestyramine
• digoxin
• blood thinners (warfarin)
• NSAID drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen)
• estrogen hormone medication
• isoniazid
• mifepristone
• antifungal medication (ketooconazole)

Can food or alcohol interact with dexamethasone?

Certain drugs should not be used when eating or consuming certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Smoking or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with dexamethasone?

Other health conditions you have can affect the use of the drug dexamethasone. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Cataract
• Congenital heart failure
• Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland problem)
• Diabetes
• Eye infection
• Fluid retention
• Glaucoma
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Infections (for example, bacterial, viral, fungal)
• Mood changes, including depression
• Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness)
• Osteoporosis (weak bones)
• Gastric ulcer, active or history
• Personality changes
• Stomach or intestinal problems (for example, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis)
• Tuberculosis, inactive - Use with caution. It might make things worse
• Yeast infection
• Herpes simplex eye infection - Should not be used in patients with this condition

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of dexamethasone, take it as soon as possible.

However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose of dexamethasone to make up for a missed dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.