![]() | |
![]() | |
Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Decadron, Ozurdex, Dexycu, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682792 |
License data | |
Pregnancy category |
|
Routes of administration | By mouth, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraosseous, intravitreal, eye drop |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status | |
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 80–90% |
Protein binding | 77% |
Metabolism | Liver |
Elimination half-life | biological half-life: 36 to 54 hours; plasma half-life: 4 to 5 hours[8][9] |
Excretion | Urine (65%) |
Identifiers | |
| |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
IUPHAR/BPS | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider | |
UNII | |
KEGG | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
PDB ligand | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.004 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C22H29FO5 |
Molar mass | 392.467 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
Melting point | 262 °C (504 °F) |
| |
| |
![]() ![]() |
Dexamethasone is a fluorinated glucocorticoid medication[10] used to treat rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, superior vena cava syndrome (a complication of some forms of cancer),[11] and along with antibiotics in tuberculosis.[10] In adrenocortical insufficiency, it may be used in combination with a mineralocorticoid medication such as fludrocortisone.[10] In preterm labor, it may be used to improve outcomes in the baby.[10] It may be given by mouth, as an injection into a muscle, as an injection into a vein, as a topical cream or ointment for the skin or as a topical ophthalmic solution to the eye.[10] The effects of dexamethasone are frequently seen within a day and last for about three days.[10]
The long-term use of dexamethasone may result in thrush, bone loss, cataracts, easy bruising, or muscle weakness.[10] It is in pregnancy category C in the United States, meaning that it should only be used when the benefits are predicted to be greater than the risks.[1] In Australia, the oral use is category A, meaning it has been frequently used in pregnancy and not been found to cause problems to the baby.[12] It should not be taken when breastfeeding.[10] Dexamethasone has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects.[10]
Dexamethasone was first synthesized in 1957 by Philip Showalter Hench and was approved for medical use in 1958.[13][14][15] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[16] In 2021, it was the 260th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.[17][18] It is available as a generic medication.[19]
Dexamethasone is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.
Drugs which have been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any proven increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the fetus having been observed.