Medication Monday: Meet Dexamethasone

Happy 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 friends! 💉💊

Meet 𝐃𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞! A corticosteroid, also referred to as Decadron, that serves as an anti-inflammatory agent for certain conditions. Let’s go over it. 

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝?
✨Croup
✨Asthma
✨Anaphylaxis
✨Cerebral edema
🔎Many of you have probably heard about it being used for Covid patient’s as well. 

Among other conditions, dexamethasone is commonly given to children with croup in an outpatient or ER setting. It works to reduce inflammation in the upper airway. Often times, only a single dose is needed to ease symptoms of croup. However, if respiratory symptoms worsen further evaluation and treatment is necessary. 

𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬:
⚡️Upset stomach
⚡️Headache
⚡️Insomnia
⚡️Dizziness
⚡️Anxiety
⚡️Hypertension, hyperglycemia &
⚡️Hypokalemia

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫:
🔎 Blood Pressure
🔎 Electrolytes
🔎 Weight

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
🔸May decrease immune system and mask signs of infection
🔸Contraindicated in patients with systemic fungal infections
❌ Do not give with live vaccines

💡𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 » What other conditions is Dexamethasone used for? Answer below! 

⚠️ The information in this post or comments is not intended as medical advice. It is only for educational purposes. ⚠️