Dexamethasone

Action:
Synthetic adrenocortical steroid possessing basic glucocorticoid actions and effects

Indications:
Acute Mountain Sickness
Anaphylaxis
Broncospasm
Cerebral Edema
Croup
Pregnancy Inducted Hypertension

Contraindications:
No absolute contraindications

Adult Dosing:

  • Acute Mountain Sickness: 0.75 to 9 mg per day PO, IV or IM in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours
  • Asthma: 0.75 to 9 mg per day PO, IV or IM in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours
  • Bronchospasm: 0.75 to 9 mg per day PO, IV or IM in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours
  • Cerebral Edema: Initial 10 mg IV once, followed by 4 mg IM every 6 hours until symptoms of cerebral edema subside
  • Croup: 0.75 to 9 mg per day PO, IV or IM in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours
  • Pregnancy Inducted Hypertension

Pediatric Dosing:

  • Acute Mountain Sickness: 0.15 mg/kg/dose IV, IM or PO every 6 hours; consider using for high altitude pulmonary edema because of associated HACE with this condition
  • Asthma: 0.6 mg/kg IV, IM or PO (Maximum dose: 16 mg)
  • Cerebral Edema:
    • Initial loading dose: 1 to 2 mg/kg once orally, IV or IM
    • Maintenance: 1 to 1.5 mg/kg/day, give in divided doses every 4 to 6 hours
  • Croup: 0.6 mg/kg IV, IM or PO (Maximum dose: 20 mg)