In the article, we will consider how children are given inhalations with Dexamethasone.
Therapy of inflammatory diseases of ENT organs of an infectious or chronic nature, as well as allergic manifestations, is not always successful if classical treatment is used. Therefore, experts recommend the use of more active drug forms, for example, Dexamethasone, for inhalation to children. This use of the drug allows you to stop attacks, to alleviate the condition of the patient.
Characteristics and properties
Currently, the manufacturer "Dexamethasone" is available in several pharmacological forms: a liquid solution intended for inhalation, tablets, eye drops.
For inhalation, a solution supplied in glass ampoules is used.
The main active ingredient in its composition is dexamethasone, which is a synthetic analogue of the substance produced by the adrenal cortex.
It is a powerful tool that quickly eliminates allergic reactions, relieves inflammation, and blocks the subsequent spread of pathogenic microbes. After the active component enters the body, it inhibits the activity of macrophages and leukocytes in order to reduce their concentration in the area of inflammation.
"Dexamethasone" is able to comprehensively affect the body:
- Increase blood pressure.
- Increase blood sugar.
- Expand bronchial lumen.
- Block cramping that occurs in the vessels.
A powerful anti-inflammatory effect allows you to stop the effects of histamine on receptors, which helps to quickly eliminate inflammation.
Indications for use of inhalation
Why are dexamethasone inhalations prescribed for children?
The tool belongs to the group of the strongest glucocorticosteroid drugs that help eliminate allergies and inflammation. Use this drug is advisable for the treatment of the following pathologies:
- Swelling of the larynx, which can cause choking.
- Respiratory diseases, accompanied by the development of a strong paroxysmal cough, which is dry in nature.
- Asthma.
- Laryngitis.
- Diseases of the respiratory system provoked by fungi.
- Pharyngitis.
- A variety of bronchitis. The only exception is bronchitis, accompanied by an accumulation of purulent sputum.
- Pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Pneumonia. Use "Dexamentazone" in acute forms of pneumonia is contraindicated. Its use is advisable only at the stage of recovery.
- Cough, allergic in origin and dry, irritating.
Children are prescribed Dexamethasone inhalation most often with the goal of eliminating laryngospasm, bronchial spasms, stopping asthma attacks. You can quickly stop dangerous symptoms with an inhalation or injection solution.
Dexamethasone inhalations for children with cough are very popular. When using the drug, the following effect develops: the active component penetrates directly into the pathological focus, thereby relieving swelling of the mucous membranes. As a result, there is an early elimination of sputum and rapid blocking of the inflammatory process.
What else does the instruction manual for Dexamethasone for inhalation for children tell us?
Contraindications
It is an effective drug that comprehensively affects the root causes and consequences. However, the medication in question, like any other medicine, has a number of contraindications:
- Individual susceptibility to the active ingredient.
- The presence of mucus, which has a purulent character.
- CNS disorders.
- Heart dysfunctions.
- Fever. It should be noted that at elevated temperatures, any inhalation is strictly prohibited.
Relative contraindications
In addition to absolute “Dexamethasone” has relative contraindications. Use the medication with extreme caution if the patient has the following conditions:
- Epileptic seizures.
- Thromboembolism.
- Pathology of the liver.
- Diabetes.
With such violations, the use of the drug should be carried out exclusively in the presence of vital indications. In addition, it is recommended to use it in these cases under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital.
Is Dexamethasone in ampoules for inhalation always safe for children?
Likely adverse effects
If the patient strictly complies with medical recommendations regarding the rules of use and dosages, then side symptoms develop in exceptional cases and are expressed by the following manifestations:
- The onset of coughing.
- The development of bronchospasm.
- Dry mouth, larynx.
- Sharp inhalation of a high-dosage solution can lead to increased heart rate, the appearance of disorientation, and the development of edema of the respiratory system.
These unwanted effects develop quite rarely and most often due to non-compliance with medical prescriptions.
The dosage of Dexamethasone inhalation for children should be strictly observed.
Overdose
Intoxication with a drug is manifested by an increase in side symptoms. In addition, the patient may experience the following effects:
- Violation of cardiac activity.
- Severe redness of the skin.
- The development of convulsive conditions.
- Change in patient behavior, inappropriate behavior, or depressive mood.
In addition, anxiety may be noted. Any change in the patient’s behavior is an occasion to immediately call an ambulance.
In some cases, against the background of inhalations with "Dexamethasone" with laryngitis, children may experience a sharp loss of vision.
If adverse reactions occur, it is urgently necessary to reduce the dosage used and conduct symptomatic therapy in a hospital setting.
The use of "Dexamethasone" for inhalation
To achieve maximum efficiency from inhalation with a nebulizer, you should strictly follow the instructions for use and a number of additional recommendations:

- If a child inhales medication through a nebulizer, breathe slowly and calmly. It is not recommended to take deep breaths to avoid the occurrence of a strong cough.
- The inhalation procedure should last 5-10 minutes. The exact duration of the procedure is determined by the doctor, taking into account the age of the patient.
- Do not inhale after eating. The break should be at least an hour.
- If the patient has swelling of the larynx, Dexamethasone should not be used for inhalation. The specified condition develops, as a rule, with fever and sore throat.
- Prepare a medicinal solution immediately before the procedure.
- After inhalation, rinse the mouth thoroughly.
- For young children, a special mask should be used.
- Inhalation should be in a sitting position.
- If the child was active before inhalation, he should first normalize his breathing and only after that proceed with the procedure.
It should be noted that the use of "Dexamethasone" is undesirable if the patient has fractures. This limitation is due to the ability of the drug to inhibit the process of growth of damaged tissues.
With strict observance of all recommendations, the positive dynamics from the use of "Dexamethasone" will be noticeable after the first inhalation. The patient will have a paroxysmal cough, sputum discharge will improve, nasal breathing will normalize, and allergic rhinitis will disappear.
Virtually any drug intended for inhalation should be used in diluted form. Dexamethasone is no exception. Dilute the drug in this way:
- For pediatric patients, 0.5 ml of the drug is diluted with saline in an amount of 3 ml.
- In the presence of obstructive bronchitis, acute stenosis, severe coughing, the dosage for patients of any age can be increased, if appropriate.
The use of an undiluted drug for inhalation is unacceptable due to the possibility of developing a shock condition.
The proportions of inhalations with Dexamethasone for children can be checked with your doctor.
Rules for the preparation of a medicinal solution
The effectiveness of Dexamethasone therapy directly depends on how well the medicinal solution is prepared. The dosage for each patient should be calculated individually, exclusively by the doctor who prescribes the indicated therapy. Independent use and dosage determination is prohibited.
It is important to remember that "Dexamethasone" can provoke the occurrence of side symptoms. In addition, the drug has certain contraindications.
Inhalation schedule
Dexamethasone inhalations must be carried out in accordance with a certain schedule, following a number of rules:
- To carry out inhalation to the child, only a nebulizer should be used. The use of improvised means is not allowed.
- Inhale dexamethasone aerosol should be twice a day. If acute or chronic conditions are observed, the pediatrician may recommend inhalation three times a day.
- For inhalations, only the liquid form of the drug is used, which is also used for injection.
- During the procedure, it is necessary to monitor the child in order to promptly identify negative effects and stop it.
- The average duration of therapy is 3-5 days. It is worth noting that the duration of treatment is largely determined by the condition of the small patient. If the pediatrician deems it necessary, he recommends an extension of therapy.
Features of the use of the drug
The proportions of the drug and the duration of therapy, as already noted, should be determined by the doctor, taking into account many factors:
- Presence of contraindications for inhalation with Dexamethasone in a child.
- The presence of concomitant ailments.
- Age of the child.
- Type of cough.
- The severity of the pathology.
The main justified reason for using the drug for the treatment of children is laryngospasm. In addition, the medicine can be prescribed for bronchospasm, developing against the background of the process of inflammation.
Reviews about Dexamethasone for Inhalation for Children
Parents of children often leave positive feedback about such a procedure as inhalation with Dexamethasone. High efficacy of the drug is noted for pediatric laryngitis and cough. In addition, the drug is quite affordable, has few contraindications, can be used from any age, rarely provokes the development of negative symptoms.
We reviewed the instructions for the use of Dexamethasone inhalation for children.