Dexamethasone

Tablet:

• 0.5mg
• 2mg

Injection:

• 4mg/mL
• 5mg/mL

Best taken in the morning

Glucocorticoid.

Reduces inflammation by blocking the action of chemicals such as prostaglandins that are responsible for triggering the inflammatory response.  They also temporarily depress the immune system by reducing the activity of certain types of white blood cells.

• Oedema
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Hypertension
• Osteoporosis
• Spontaneous fractures
• Muscle wasting
• Nitrogen depletion
• Hyperglycemia
• Increased appetite
• Delayed wound healing
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Skin thinning
• Peptic ulcerations
• Growth retardation in children
• Acne
• Hirsutism
• Skin pigmentation

• • Hypersensitivity
  • Systemic fungal infections
  • Live virus vaccinations
  • Peptic ulceration
  • Psychosis
  • Severe psychoneurosis
  • TB
  • Ocular herpes simplex
  • Glaucoma

  Caution should be observed in presence of heart failure, recent MI, hypertension, DM, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, hepatic failure, osteoporosis, elderly patients, renal insufficiency

  If used for prolonged periods of time patient should be monitored.

• Barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone or rifampicin enhance metabolism and reduce effects of systemic corticosteroids.
• Potassium-depleting diuretics such as thiazides and furosemide may cause excess potassium loss.
• With concurrent use with NSAIDs, there’s increased risk of GI bleeding and ulcerations.
• Decrease serum concentrations of salicylates.
• Decrease effect of antimuscarinics in mysthaenia gravis.