Dexamethasone
Brands
Azium
Description
A member of the glucocorticoid class of hormones, it is a crystalline, water-soluble corticosteroid/quick acting, low strength anti-inflammatory. It is used to treat numerous conditions that involve inflammation. It appears to work by interfering with the formation of natural substances within the body that are directly responsible for the process of inflammation, which produces swelling, redness, and pain.
Uses
- Pneumonia
- Inner-ear problems/wryneck
- Injury
- Central nervous system disorders
- Shock
Dosage
- 0.05-1mg/lb SQ or IM (7)
- Azium 2mg/mL solution - 0.025-0.15cc/lb (7)
- 0.5-2.0 mg/kg orally or by injection, then decreasing the dose to twice a day for 3-14 days (20)
- Shock - 4-5 mg/kg by injection (20)
Side Effects
- Atrophy around the site of the injection
- Swelling due to serous fluid in tissue
Warnings
- Use only for VERY short periods of time
- Do not give for active untreated infections or viral and fungal diseases of the eye
