A type of corticosteroid medication.
It is an agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR).
It is used in the treatment of many conditions.
Used to treat: rheumatic problems, skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, and brain swelling.
Used together with a mineralocorticoid for adrenal insufficiency.
May be used to improve outcomes in premature labor.
Administered by mouth, intramuscular, SC, or intravenously.
The effects frequently seen within a day and last for about three days.
US: C -Risk not ruled out.
Bioavailability 80–90%
Protein binding 77%
Metabolism hepatic.
Biological half-life 190 minutes.
Excretion Urine at 65%.
The long-term use may result in thrush, bone loss, cataracts, easy bruising, or muscle weakness.
Should not be taken when breastfeeding.
Has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects.
Used to treat many inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and bronchospasm.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, responds to 40 mg daily for four days.
Commonly given as a treatment for croup in children, as a single dose can reduce the swelling of the airway to improve breathing and reduce discomfort.
Can be injected into the heel when treating plantar fasciitis.
Counteracts allergic anaphylactic shock.
It is present in eye drops, nasal spray (trade and ear drops.
Dexamethasone intravitreal steroid implants
are used to treat ocular conditions such as diabetic macular edema, central retinal vein occlusion, and uveitis.
Used with antibiotics to treat acute endophthalmitis.
Used in transvenous screw-in cardiac pacing leads to minimize the inflammatory response of the myocardium.
May be administered before antibiotics in cases of bacterial meningitis, to reduce the inflammatory response of the body to the bacteria killed by the antibiotics.
Counteract certain side effects of their antitumor chemotherapy treatments.
Can increase the antiemetic effect of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.
In brain tumors it is used to counteract the development of CNS edema.
It is also given in cord compression, where a tumor is compressing the spinal cord.
Used as a direct chemotherapeutic agent in hematological malignancies, especially in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
It can be used in congenital adrenal hyperplasia in older adolescents and adults to suppress ACTH production.
May be given to women at risk of delivering prematurely to promote maturation of the fetus’ lungs.
Used during pregnancy as an off-label prenatal treatment for the symptoms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in female babies, although it’s use is controversial.
It is used in the treatment of high-altitude cerebral edema, as well as high-altitude pulmonary edema.
Dexamethasone and ondansetron are more effective than ondansetron alone in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Adverse effects :
Acne
Insomnia
Vertigo
Increased appetite
Weight gain
Impaired skin healing
Depression
Euphoria
Hypertension
Increased risk of infection
Raised intraocular pressure
Vomiting
Dyspepsia
Confusion
Amnesia
Irritability
Nausea
Malaise
Headaches
Cataract
Papilledema
Adrenal suppression
Growth stunting in children
Cushing’s syndrome
Peptic ulcer
Osteoporosis
Myopathy
Diabetes mellitus type 2
Hyperglycaemia
Pancreatitis
Sodium and water retention
Mania
Psychosis
Glaucoma
Cardiomyopathy
Abdominal distension
Corneal or scleral thinning
Candidiasis
Skin atrophy
Bruising
Telangiectasia
Striae
Leukocytosis
Thromboembolism
Psychological dependence
Vertebral collapse
Esophageal ulcer
Seizures
Hypertriglyceridaemia
Intracranial hypertension with long-term use
Facial plethora
Hypokalaemia
Hypocalcaemia
Muscular atrophy
Nitrogen depletion due to protein catabolism
Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis
Contraindications include:
Uncontrolled infections
Known hypersensitivity to dexamethasone
Cerebral malaria
Systemic fungal infection
Concurrent treatment with live virus vaccines
Known drug interactions include:
Inducers of hepatic microsomal enzymes such as barbiturates, phenytoin, and rifampicin can reduce the half-life of dexamethasone.