DRUG ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION SIDE NURSING

EFFECTS CONSIDERATIONS

Generic Name: Dexamethasone Specific Hypersensitivity; active Stomach •Determine if patient

dexamethasone is a synthetic Adjunctive untreated infections; upset, is allergic to other
(oral) (dex a METH glucocorticoid treatment in opthalmic use in viral, headache, corticosteroids •For
a sone) which decreases bacterial fungal disease of the eye dizziness, better results and less
inflammation by meningitis menstrual toxicity, give once
Brand Names: inhibiting the changes, daily dose in the
Baycadron, migration of General trouble morning •Give oral
Decadron, leukocytes and •Cerebral sleeping, dose with food when
Dexamethasone reversal of Edema increased possible •Always
Intensol, DexPak, increased •Allergic and appetite, adjust to lowest
TaperDex, Zema- capillary inflammatory or weight effective dose
Pak, ZoDex, permeability. It conditions gain may •Monitor patient's
Zonacort suppresses •Shock occur weight, blood
normal immune •Tuberculosis pressure and
Classification: response •Meningitis electrolytes level
Antiinflammatory •Monitor patient for
Glucocorticoid cushingoid effects,
including moon face,
Dosage: 1.8 buffalo hump,
mg IV q6 thinning of hair •Give
IM injection deeply
into gluteal muscle.
Rotate injection sites
to prevent muscle
athropy