DEXAMETHASONE injectable

Therapeutic action

• Corticosteroid

Indications

• Inflammatory syndrome in severe infections: severe typhoid fever, acute subglottic laryngitis, etc.
• Foetal lung maturation, in the event of threatened premature delivery before 34 weeks of gestation

Forms and strengths, route of administration

• 4 mg dexamethasone phosphate in 1 ml ampoule (4 mg/ml) for IM or IV injection or infusion

Dosage and duration

Inflammatory syndrome in severe infections
Dosage and duration vary according to severity and clinical response:

• Child: 0.2 to 0.4 mg/kg daily
• Adult: initial dose of 0.5 to 24 mg daily

Foetal lung maturation

• Administer to the mother: 6 mg by IM injection every 12 hours for 2 days (total dose: 24 mg)

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• For systemic infections, only administer if patient is under antibiotic treatment.
• In the event of treatment longer than 10 days, decrease doses gradually to avoid adrenal gland failure.
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication
• Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

Remarks

• Foetal lung maturation:
  • after 34 weeks of gestation, corticosteroid treatment is not indicated;
  • dexamethasone may be replaced by betamethasone: 2 doses of 12 mg by IM injection at 24-hour interval (total dose: 24 mg).
• For allergic reactions (Quinke’s oedema, anaphylactic shock) and status asthmaticus, use hydrocortisone.
• Dexamethasone acetate, insoluble in water, is a suspension used only for local treatment: intra-articular or peri-articular injection, epidural injection (sciatica).

Storage