Dexamethasone

Generic Name

dexamethasone

Trade Name

Decadron

Indication

Manage cerebral edema, assess for Cushing's Disease

Action

Suppress inflammation and normal immune response.  Used in inflammatory states to decrease inflammation.

Therapeutic Class

antiasthmatics, corticosteroids

Pharmacologic Class

corticosteroids

Nursing Considerations

Excreted by the liver - monitor liver profile

Avoid in active untreated infections

may cause CNS alterations

may cause peptic ulcers

may cause Cushingoid appearance (buffalo hump, moon face)

Weight gain

Osteoporosis

Decrease wound healing

May elevate blood sugars

May increase cholesterol and lipid values