section name header

Pronunciation

dex-a-METH-a-sone

Classifications

Therapeutic Classification: corticosteroids

Indications

REMS


Hemady

Unlabeled Use:
  • Short-term administration to high-risk mothers before delivery to prevent respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn.
  • Adjunctive management of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.
  • Airway edema prior to extubation.
  • To facilitate ventilator weaning in neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Action

  • In pharmacologic doses, suppresses inflammation and the normal immune response.
  • Suppresses adrenal function at chronic doses of 0.75 mg/day.
  • Has negligible mineralocorticoid activity.
Therapeutic effects:
  • Suppression of inflammation and modification of the normal immune response.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration. Sodium phosphate salt is rapidly absorbed after IM administration. Absorption from local sites (intra-articular, intralesional) is slow but complete.

Distribution: Widely distributed to tissues.

Metabolism/Excretion: Mostly metabolized by the liver.

Half-Life: Low birth weight infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: 9.3 hr; Children 3 mo–16 yr: 4.3 hr; Adults: 3–4.5 hr (plasma), 36–54 hr (tissue); adrenal suppression lasts 2.75 days.

Time/Action Profile

(anti-inflammatory activity)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
POunknown1–2 hr72 hr
IM, IV (phosphate)rapidunknown72 hr



Contraind./Precautions

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects

Adverse reactions/side effects are much more common with high-dose/long-term therapy

CV: hypertension, edema

Derm: wound healing, acne, ecchymoses, hirsutism, petechiae

EENT: intraocular pressure, blurred vision, cataracts

Endo: adrenal suppression, hyperglycemia

F and E: hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis

GI: anorexia, nausea, PEPTIC ULCERATION, vomiting

GU: amenorrhea

Hemat: THROMBOEMBOLISM, thrombophlebitis

Metab: appetite, weight gain

MS: muscle wasting, osteoporosis, avascular necrosis of joints, muscle pain

Neuro: depression, euphoria, intracranial pressure (children only), psychoses, hallucinations, headache, insomnia, personality changes, restlessness

Misc: cushingoid appearance (moon face, buffalo hump), INFECTION, KAPOSI'S SARCOMA

Interactions

Drug-drug:

Route/Dosage

Availability

(Generic available)

Assessment

Lab Test Considerations:

Implementation

Rate: Administer infusions over 15–30 min.

Patient/Family Teaching

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

US Brand Names

Decadron, Hemady

Code

NDC Code