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Dexamethasone (Dexamethasone) - Summary

 



DEXAMETHASONE SUMMARY

DEXAMETHASONE Tablets USP,
DEXAMETHASONE Oral Solution,
and DEXAMETHASONE Intensol ™ Oral Solution (Concentrate)

Dexamethasone Tablets 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4 and 6 mg USP, Dexamethasone Oral Solution, 0.5 mg per 5 mL and Dexamethasone Intensol ™ Oral Solution (Concentrate), 1 mg per mL are for oral administration.

Glucocorticoids are adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, which are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Dexamethasone, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid, is a white to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder. It is stable in air. It is practically insoluble in water. The molecular weight is 392.47.

Dexamethasone is indicated for the following:

Allergic states

Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis, and serum sickness.

Dermatologic diseases

Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, exfoliative erythroderma, mycosis fungoides, pemphigus, and severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).

Endocrine disorders

Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; may be used in conjunction with synthetic mineralocorticoid analogs where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypercalcemia associated with cancer, and nonsuppurative thyroiditis.

Gastrointestinal diseases

To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in regional enteritis and ulcerative colitis.

Hematologic disorders

Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia (Diamond-Blackfan anemia), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, pure red cell aplasia, and selected cases of secondary thrombocytopenia.

Miscellaneous

Diagnostic testing of adrenocortical hyperfunction, trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement, tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy.

Neoplastic diseases

For the palliative management of leukemias and lymphomas.

Nervous system

Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, cerebral edema associated with primary or metastatic brain tumor, craniotomy, or head injury.

Ophthalmic diseases

Sympathetic ophthalmia, temporal arteritis, uveitis, and ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids.

Renal diseases

To induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome or that due to lupus erythematosus.

Respiratory diseases

Berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy, idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonias, symptomatic sarcoidosis.

Rheumatic disorders

As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in acute gouty arthritis, acute rheumatic carditis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy). For the treatment of dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.


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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Dexamethasone

dexamethasone oral, Decadron, DexPak
Source: MedicineNet Atopic Dermatitis Specialty [2009.03.12]
Title: dexamethasone oral, Decadron, DexPak
Category: Medications
Created: 12/31/1997
Last Editorial Review: 3/12/2009

ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone-otic suspension, Ciprodex
Source: MedicineNet Ear Tubes Specialty [2005.03.02]
Title: ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone-otic suspension, Ciprodex
Category: Medications
Created: 3/2/2005
Last Editorial Review: 3/2/2005

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Published Studies Related to Dexamethasone

Phase 2 trial results with the novel neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist casopitant in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. [2009.10.15]
BACKGROUND:: This randomized, double-blind, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial evaluated the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist casopitant mesylate in combination with ondansetron/dexamethasone (ond/dex) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) related to moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC)... CONCLUSIONS:: Casopitant plus ond/dex was more effective than ond/dex alone for the prevention of CINV. Cancer 2009. (c) 2009 American Cancer Society.

Dexamethasone decreases oxycodone consumption following osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone: a randomized controlled trial in day surgery. [2009.10.10]
Background: Dexamethasone may improve multimodal pain management following painful orthopedic day surgery procedures, and decrease the need for post-operative opioids. We hypothesized that dexamethasone would reduce the need for oxycodone after surgical correction of hallux valgus... Conclusion: Oral dexamethasone combined with paracetamol significantly reduced total oxycodone consumption following surgical correction of hallux valgus.

Dexamethasone, cerebrospinal fluid matrix metalloproteinase concentrations and clinical outcomes in tuberculous meningitis. [2009.09.30]
BACKGROUND: Adjunctive dexamethasone reduces mortality from tuberculous meningitis, but how it produces this effect is not known. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important in the immunopathology of many inflammatory CNS diseases thus we hypothesized that that their secretion is important in TBM and might be influenced by dexamethasone...

l-Epinephrine and dexamethasone in postextubation airway obstruction: A prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. [2009.09.15]
CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone and l-epinephrine did not reduce the clinical progression of airway obstruction due to laryngeal edema in the early postextubation period.

An Open Randomized Controlled Trial of Desmopressin, and Pulse Dexamethasone as Adjunctive Therapy in Patients with Pulmonary Involvement Associated with Severe Leptospirosis. [2009.09.02]
Abstract Pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis is emerging as a common complication associated with severe leptospirosis. A prospective randomized controlled trial of desmopressin or high dose (pulse) dexamethasone as adjunctive therapy in 68 patients with pulmonary involvement associated with severe leptospirosis was conducted between July 2003 and October 2006 at 5 hospitals in Thailand...

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Clinical Trials Related to Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone for Paediatric Adeno-Tonsillectomy - A Dose-Finding Study [Terminated]
Adeno-tonsillectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure in children. Main morbidities are postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, and haemorrhage. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)widely used for paincontrol increase the risk of postoperative bleeding and reoperation. Dexamethasone is an powerful antiemetic and has shown analgesic efficacy. Antiemetic and analgesic dose-response has never been established.

Vincristine, DOXIL® (Doxorubicin HCl Liposome Injection) and Dexamethasone vs. Vincristine, Doxorubicin, and Dexamethasone in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to determine how well newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients respond to an experimental regimen of Vincristine, DOXIL (doxorubicin HCl liposome injection) and Dexamethasone (VDD) versus the standard treatment of Vincristine, Doxorubicin and Dexamethasone (VAD).

XERECEPT® (hCRF) for Patients Requiring Dexamethasone to Treat Edema Associated With Brain Tumors [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of XERECEPT® to dexamethasone (Decadron) a common treatment for symptoms of brain swelling (edema). This study is specifically aimed at patients who require chronic high doses of dexamethasone to manage symptoms.

Dexamethasone or Dexamethasone in Combination With Thalidomide as Salvage Therapy [Completed]
The purpose of this investigational trial is to find out how well patients respond and how long their response lasts when treated with a standard regimen of dexamethasone with or without thalidomide and also find out what kind of side effects patients will experience.

Thalidomide + Dexamethasone vs. DOXIL (Doxorubicin HCl Liposome Injection) + Thalidomide + Dexamethasone in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma [Active, not recruiting]
The main purpose of this study is to determine if Thalidomide + Dexamethasone or DOXIL (doxorubicin HCl liposome injection) + Thalidomide + Dexamethasone is more effective in treating patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The number of patients whose multiple myeloma disappears for a period of time (also called "Complete Response") will be studied to make the determination of which treatment is more effective.

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 1 ratings/reviews, Dexamethasone has an overall score of 3. The effectiveness score is 4 and the side effect score is 10. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst.
 

Dexamethasone review by 38 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   bronchial infection
Dosage & duration:   0.75 mg taken varied for the period of 8 days
Other conditions:   cough, congestion
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   marginal, not sure if recovrey was from the drug or from the infection running it's course.
Side effects:   none; however, anxiety was a result because of the confusing way the dosage was explained. Here is the detail: 2 tabs today, then 2 tabs twice a day for x3 days, 1 tab 2x daily x2 days, then 1 tab in am x2 days.
Comments:   Chronic bronchitis-type sympptoms were treated, daily dosage varied and was confusing and difficult to administer. Not able to pinpoint if recovery came from the infection running it's course or from the drug. No side affects, but anxiety taking a steriod in such an unusual way.

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Page last updated: 2009-10-20

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