Drug Cards

Dexamethasone

Decadron
Class:
Corticosteroid.
Mechanism of Action:
Suppresses acute and chronic inflammation, immunosuppressive effects.
Indications:
  • Anaphylaxis.
  • Asthma.
  • Spinal cord injury.
  • Croup.
  • Elevated intracranial pressure (prevention and treatment).
  • As an adjunct to treatment of shock.
Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity to product.
Adverse reactions:
  • Hypertension.
  • Sodium and water retension.
  • GI bleeding.
None from single dose.
Drug Interactions:
Calcium, Metaraminol.
Adult Dosage and Administration
10-100 mg IV (i mg/kg slow IV bolus).
Considerable variance through Medical Control.
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Pediatric Dosage and Administration:
0.25-1.0 mg/kg/dose IV, IO, IM.
Duration of Action:
  • Onset: Hours.
  • Peak effect: 8-12 hours.
  • Duration: 24-72 hours.
Special Considerations:
  • Pregnancy safety: unknown.
  • Protect medication from heat.
  • Toxicity and side effects with long-term use.