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Dexamethasone is an adrenal cortical hormone drug with strong anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and immunosuppressive effects. It is mainly used in the clinical treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergies, inflammations It plays a key role in the rescue of acute and severe diseases such as allergic diseases, shock, and endocrine crisis [1].
Today, let’s follow the world of Xiaoyao and see what is worth noting about dexamethasone in the clinical application process?
Allergic and autoimmune inflammatory diseases
How to use it?
▍Tablets:
Oral. The starting dose for adults is 0.75-3.00 mg (1-4 tablets) once, 2-4 times a day. The maintenance dose is about 0.75mg (1 tablet) a day, depending on the condition.
▍Injectables:
The general dose is 2-20mg each time by intravenous injection; during intravenous infusion, it should be diluted with 5% glucose injection, which can be repeated for 2-6 hours until the condition is stable, but continuous high-dose administration Medication generally does not exceed 72 hours. For intrathecal injection of 5 mg each time, once every 1-3 weeks.
IM: 1-8 mg once daily.
Intratendinous injection or intra-articular cavity, soft tissue injection: 0.8-6mg once, once every two weeks.
Local intradermal injection: 0.05-0.25mg per point, 2.5mg in total, once a week.
Injection into nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, middle ear cavity, ear tube: 0.1-0.2mg, 1-3 times a day[2-4].
Use with caution in patients with renal impairment
Because of the potential for sodium retention leading to edema and potassium loss in patients receiving corticosteroids, these drugs should be used with caution in patients with renal insufficiency [5].
Category 2 requires dose adjustment
▍Hypothyroidism
Metabolic clearance of corticosteroids is decreased in patients with hypothyroidism and increased in patients with hyperthyroidism. Dosage may need to be adjusted as the patient’s thyroid status changes [5].
▍Anti-diabetic
Because corticosteroids may increase blood glucose levels, dose adjustment of antidiabetic drugs may be necessary [5].
References:
[1] Liu Zongjiang. When using dexamethasone, these precautions should be kept in mind [J].
[2]Drug Information: Dexamethasone Acetate Tablets, Chengdu No. 1 Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2017/03.
[3]Drug Information: Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Injection, Xinxiang Changle Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2016/09.
[4]Drug information: Dexamethasone acetate injection, Chengdu Tiantaishan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
[5]Product Information:DECADRON dexamethasone tablets,USP,dexamethasone tablets,Merck&Co.,Inc,2019.05.
Source: Clinical Pharmacy Channel
Proofreading: Zang Hengjia
Editor in charge: Wang Xiao
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