Dexidon^®

Dexidon®

Generic name: Dexamethasone
Dosage form: Injectable solution containing 4 mg of dexamethasone per mL
Drug class: Corticosteroid

Indications: This medication is used to treat various allergic, hematologic, dermatologic, neoplastic, rheumatic, autoimmune, neurological, renal, and respiratory disorders.

Dexidon®

Dexamethasone is a long-acting corticosteroid with minimal sodium-retaining potential. It reduces inflammation through mechanisms such as decreasing the production of inflammatory mediators and suppressing neutrophil migration. Additionally, it suppresses the immune system and has antiemetic effects.

Indications for Dexidon®

• Various allergies
• Hematologic, dermatologic, neoplastic, rheumatic, autoimmune, neurological, renal, and respiratory disorders
• Primary or secondary adrenocorticoid insufficiency
• Management of shock and cerebral edema
• Diagnostic agent for certain diseases
• High-altitude cerebral edema or acute mountain sickness
• Prevention of nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery
• Acute asthma attack
• Cancer-related cachexia
• Adjunctive therapy for pain in advanced cancer
• Moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Acceleration of fetal lung maturation
• Prevention of neurologic complications due to bacterial meningitis
• Prevention of migraine recurrence
• Short-term adjunctive treatment in arthritis, acute and subacute bursitis, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis
• Alopecia areata
• Keloids
• Local and inflammatory lesions in lichen planus, neurodermatitis, and psoriasis
• Discoid lupus

Dosage Form

Injectable solution containing 4 mg dexamethasone per mL.

Preparation of Dexidon®

Dexamethasone is supplied as a ready-to-use injectable solution and does not require dilution.

Administration and Dosage of Dexidon®

• Direct IV injection should be given slowly over 1 to several minutes.
• It may also be given as an intermittent IV infusion (IV piggyback) over 5-30 minutes.
• Rapid IV injection may cause perineal discomfort like burning or tingling (especially at high doses); therefore, for prevention, use further dilution and slower infusion.
• Dexamethasone at 4 or 10 mg/mL can be administered via deep IM injection.
• Do not administer epidurally.
• Intra-articular injection is not recommended in unstable joints.
• Do not inject into infected areas.

Monitoring Requirements During Dexidon® Therapy

• Monitor: blood pressure, hemoglobin, blood glucose, serum potassium, occult blood loss, and bone mineral density.
• Patients exposed to tropical climates or with unexplained diarrhea should be screened for amebiasis before treatment.
• If signs of myopathy appear, monitor creatine kinase.
• In children: monitor height and weight.
• Assess for hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis suppression.
• Evaluate for reactivation of latent tuberculosis in patients with tuberculin reactivity or latent TB.
• For chronic therapy, periodic ophthalmologic exams are recommended.
• With treatment longer than 6 weeks, check intraocular pressure.
• In patients with multiple myeloma receiving combination therapy, pregnancy tests are required for patients who may become pregnant.
• Patients with cancer should be screened for hepatitis B before starting dexamethasone with anticancer therapy.

Contraindications

• History of hypersensitivity to dexamethasone or formulation components
• Systemic fungal infections

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Warnings and Precautions

• Monitor for adrenal insufficiency during treatment.
• Increased intake of potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, calcium, and phosphorus may be beneficial.
• Immunosuppression increases susceptibility to infections—wash hands frequently and avoid close contact with sick individuals. Report signs of infection (fever, chills, severe sore throat, ear pain, cough, sputum).
• Patients with current or past hepatitis B should consult a physician before use.
• Report new or worsening psychiatric symptoms.
• Notify a physician if symptoms of hyperglycemia occur.
• Report symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome (weight gain in upper back/abdomen, moon face, severe headache).
• Use cautiously in systemic sclerosis.
• Consider the risk of pheochromocytoma crisis in patients with suspected or confirmed pheochromocytoma.
• Report the following symptoms: severe abdominal pain, vomiting, severe dizziness, fainting, muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, appetite loss, or weight loss.
• Hypokalemia symptoms (muscle pain/weakness, cramps, arrhythmia) require medical attention.
• Symptoms of pancreatitis (abdominal pain, severe back pain, vomiting) should be reported.
• High blood pressure symptoms (severe headache, dizziness, fainting, vision changes) require evaluation.
• Report dyspnea, sudden weight gain, visual changes, seizures, skin changes or lesions, chest pain, arrhythmias, bone/joint pain, or limb swelling.
• Use cautiously in heart failure, hypertension, and history of myocardial infarction.
• Use with caution in GI disease (peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis) and hepatic or renal impairment.
• In myasthenia gravis, symptoms may worsen in first 2 weeks—contact physician if this occurs.
• Dose adjustments may be needed with thyroid disorders.
• Use cautiously in patients with seizures.
• Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration in elderly patients.
• High doses should not be used for head trauma management.
• Use with caution in patients with history of ocular herpes simplex; avoid use if active infection is present.
• Do not use for optic neuritis.
• Taper dose gradually when discontinuing therapy.
• Patients under stress may require higher doses.

Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Consult a physician or pharmacist before using dexamethasone during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• The decision depends on the condition being treated, balancing maternal benefit and fetal risk.

Side Effects of Dexidon®

Not all patients experience side effects. Possible reactions include:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• Increased sweating
• Hiccups
• Increased appetite
• Dizziness, weakness, fatigue
• Headache
• Sleep disturbances
• Increased risk of osteoporosis

Drug Interactions

Consult a physician or pharmacist regarding use of dexamethasone with other medications or supplements.

Packaging

Each package contains 5 vials of dexamethasone.

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30°C, protected from freezing and light.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Use before the expiration month printed on the packaging. Do not use expired medication.

References

1. Dexamethasone (systemic): Drug information, UpToDate 2025
2. electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC)