DEXAMETHASONE – Classification, uses, dosages, common side effects, interaction, generic and brand name
CLASSIFICATION: Corticosteroid, Glucocorticoid
USES:
It is used for treating rheumatic problems, skin diseases, allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, brain swelling, eye pain, tuberculosis along with antibiotics.
It can be taken orally, through injection or intravenously.
DOSAGES:
Adult dosage (18 years up to 60 years)
0.75–9 mg (depends on the doctor advice)
Pediatric (1–17 years)
0.02–0.3 mg per kilogram of body weight per day (depends on the doctor advice)
NOTE: Dosages can be given or taken as per physician’s instructions and guidance that depends upon the patient’s health condition
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Mild side effects are
- Dizziness
- Edema
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Stomach upset
- High blood pressure
- Tiredness
- Anxiety
- Increase in blood glucose level
Serious Side effects (rarely occurs) are
- Black stools
- Blood in stool or urine
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Swelling throughout the body
- Abdomen bloating
- Frequent Infections
- Euphoria
- Allergies
- Heart failure
- Stomach ulcer
- Osteoporosis
INTERACTIONS:
Drugs(to name a few) that may interact with dexamethasone include:
- Voriconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Amphotericin B
- Erythromycin
- Rivaroxaban
- Warfarin
- Cholestyramine
- Aminoglutethimide
- Metformin
- Exenatide
- Pramlintide
- Insulin
- Glipizide
- Glimepiride
- Canagliflozin
- Rosiglitazone
- Bumetanide
- Phenytoin
- Carbamazepine
- Digoxin
- Oral contraceptives
- Ritonavir
- Maraviroc
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Rifabutin
- Isoniazid
- Cyclosporine
- Smallpox, chickenpox, typhoid (live vaccines)
GENERIC NAME: dexamethasone
BRAND NAME: Baycadron, Decadron, Dexamethasone Intensol, DexPak, TaperDex, Zema-Pak, ZoDex, Zonacort, Dexasone
