Dexamethasone: Solution for Injection

Dexamethasone sodium phosphate is a water-soluble inorganic ether. In appearance it is a white or slightly yellowish crystalline powder, odorless or having a slight odor of alcohol. It is hygroscopic and easily soluble in water. It is included as an active substance in the drug "Dexamethasone" in ampoules. The drug is derived from hormones (corticosteroids, which are naturally produced by the adrenal glands) of cortisol and aldosterone.

Dexamethasone, injection, is a clear, colorless or pale yellow liquid. The drug is produced in ampoules made of dark glass and having a volume of 1 or 2 ml. In 1 ml of the drug contains only 4 mg of dexamethasone sodium phosphate. Auxiliary substances are propylparaben, methylparaben, disodium edetate, sodium metabisulphite, sodium hydroxide. Active and auxiliary substances are dissolved in distilled water for injection. Pack the medicine in cardboard boxes of 25 ampoules. Sterile solution of dexamethasone sodium phosphate is used for intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular or local (in pathological formations) injections.

A wide range of indications for use has the drug Dexamethasone. Injections intravenously or intramuscularly are done with endocrine disorders, rheumatic syndromes, collagen diseases, skin diseases, allergic conditions, ophthalmic diseases, gastrointestinal pathology, respiratory diseases, hematological and oncological diseases. In addition, such injections are indicated for tuberculous meningitis and trichinosis with a lesion of the myocardium or nervous system.

Dexamethasone, a solution for injection, is used intra-articularly as an adjunctive therapy, in order to relieve acute exacerbations, it is prescribed in osteoarthritis with recurrent synovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute bursitis, gouty arthritis, epicondylitis, nonspecific acute tenosynovitis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis. In addition, this unique drug is administered locally - to the places of pathological formations, which are keloids (tumor-like growths), localized lipodystrophies (altered areas of the subcutaneous fat layer at insulin entry points). Also locally administered drug in the distribution of red flat lichen, psoriatic plaques. Injections into cystic tumors may be useful.

Dexamethasone, a solution for injections, is characterized by a number of contraindications. These include fungal infections of a systemic nature, increased sensitivity to any of the ingredients of the drug, including sulfites. Rare cases of anaphylactoid reactions have occurred in patients receiving parenterally (bypassing the GI tract) corticosteroids, especially if the patient is allergic to any of the ingredients of the drug. "Dexamethasone" for injections contains sulfites, which can cause allergic manifestations, including anaphylactic symptoms, as well as episodes of varying severity in asthmatics and some susceptible patients.

No less important is the question of how to apply "Dexamethasone", solution for injections, during pregnancy? It can be argued that adequate studies on the use of corticosteroid drugs for pregnant women have not been conducted. Therefore, it is not possible to assess the benefits of using the drug for a pregnant woman or any other woman of childbearing age, with minimal risk to the fetus or reproduction. In infants born to mothers who received palpable doses of corticosteroid drugs during pregnancy, carefully observe the signs of adrenal hypofunction. Corticosteroids, when ingested in breast milk, can inhibit growth, inhibit the production of endogenous corticosteroids, or cause other undesirable effects. Women with a pharmacological dose of corticosteroids are recommended to stop breastfeeding.