Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate is a water-soluble inorganic ester. In appearance it is a white or slightly yellowish crystalline powder, odorless or having a slight smell of alcohol. It is hygroscopic and readily soluble in water. Included as an active substance in the composition of the drug "Dexamethasone" in ampoules. The drug is derived from hormones (corticosteroids, which are naturally produced by the adrenal glands), cortisol and aldosterone.
Dexamethasone, an injection, is a clear, colorless or pale yellow liquid. The drug is released in ampoules made of dark glass and having a volume of 1 or 2 ml. In 1 ml of the drug contains only 4 mg of dexamethasone sodium phosphate. Excipients are propyl paraben, methyl paraben, disodium edetate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium hydroxide. The active and excipients are dissolved in distilled water for injection. Pack the medicine in cardboard boxes of 25 ampoules. A sterile solution of dexamethasone sodium phosphate is used for intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular or local (in pathological formations) injections.
A wide range of indications for use has the drug "Dexamethasone". Injections are given intravenously or intramuscularly for endocrine disorders, rheumatic syndromes, collagen diseases (collagenoses), skin diseases, allergic conditions, ophthalmic diseases, gastrointestinal pathologies, respiratory diseases, hematological and oncological diseases. In addition, such injections are indicated for tuberculous meningitis and trichinosis with damage to the myocardium or nervous system.
"Dexamethasone", an injection, is used intraarticularly as an additional therapy in order to relieve acute exacerbations. It is prescribed for osteoarthritis with recurrent synovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute bursitis, gouty acute arthritis, epicondylitis, nonspecific acute tenosynovitis, posttraumatitis. In addition, this unique drug is administered locally - to the places of pathological formations, which are keloids (tumor-like growths), localized lipodystrophies (altered areas of the subcutaneous fat layer at the places of insulin injection). Also locally injected into the distribution of lichen planus, psoriatic plaques. Injections into cystic tumors may be helpful.
Dexamethasone, an injection, is characterized by a number of contraindications. These include fungal infections of a systemic nature, hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the drug, including sulfites. Rare cases of anaphylactoid reactions have occurred in patients receiving parenterally (bypassing the gastrointestinal tract) corticosteroids, especially if the patient is allergic to any of the ingredients of the drug. Dexamethasone for injection contains sulfites, which can cause allergic manifestations, including anaphylactic symptoms, as well as episodes of varying severity in asthmatics and some susceptible patients.
No less important is the question of how to use Dexamethasone, injection, during pregnancy? It can be argued that adequate studies on the use of corticosteroid drugs for pregnant women have not been conducted. Therefore, it is not possible to assess the benefits of using the drug for a pregnant woman or any other woman of childbearing age, with minimal risk to the fetus or reproduction. In infants born to mothers who received significant doses of corticosteroid drugs during pregnancy, signs of adrenal hypofunction are carefully monitored. When corticosteroids get into breast milk, they can inhibit growth, inhibit the production of endogenous corticosteroids, or cause other unwanted effects. Women with a pharmacological dose of corticosteroids are advised to stop breastfeeding.