There are drugs that are taken only as directed by a doctor, and the hormone dexamethasone also belongs to them. Reviews about him on the Internet are very different: grateful, alarming and even frightening. Let's take a closer look at this medicine.
The drug "Dexamethasone", description
It is a glucocorticosteroid (GCS) of synthetic origin, has an anti-inflammatory effect, reduces scar formation and reduces immunity.
Once in the body, it inhibits the synthesis of ACTH and endogenous glucocorticoids. In simple terms, the human endocrine system ceases to produce GCS itself under the influence of a large amount of the hormone received from the outside.
There is this medicine in the form of tablets, solution for injection and eye drops.
In what cases is the drug prescribed?
There are a number of emergency conditions in which the use of hormones is vital:
- shock (pain, toxic, burn), anaphylactic shock ;
- cerebral edema;
- asthmatic status.
In addition, the drug "Dexamethasone", reviews of which doctors are positive, is prescribed for diseases of connective tissue, blood, acute dermatoses, rheumatoid, oncological diseases. Corticosteroids are combined with antibiotics for severe infectious processes, and are also widely used in ophthalmic practice (inflammatory eye diseases and the postoperative period).
Often the drug "Dexamethasone" is used in gynecology in patients with elevated levels of male sex hormones. Otherwise, the woman is threatened with infertility or habitual miscarriage.
Dosage and features of the drug
The amount of necessary substance depends on many factors, among which the severity of the course of the disease, age and reaction to the therapy. At first, the dose may be high (4-20 mg), then it decreases.
The injection form is used for 3-4 days, then you should switch to tablets. If you have to take the medicine "Dexamethasone" for a long time, then you can’t cancel it abruptly, you need to do this gradually.
Side effects of the drug
The whole organism can suffer from glucocorticoids.
- Endocrine system: steroid diabetes mellitus, Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, suppression of the adrenal cortex.
- Cardiovascular system: bradycardia, increased pressure, arrhythmia, heart failure.
- Nervous system: hallucinations, euphoria, psychosis, depression, insomnia, headache, cramps.
- Digestive system: stomach ulcer, nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis, flatulence, hiccups.
- Eyes: cataract, increased intraocular pressure, infection (bacterial, viral, fungal).
- Bone system: stunted growth, osteoporosis.
- Allergic reactions and a decrease in the protective function of the skin (pyoderma, poor wound healing).
- Increased viral and bacterial infections due to decreased immunity.
The medicine "Dexamethasone", reviews
People who need the drug vitally accept its side effects as payment for improving their condition. However, women planning a pregnancy or with a threatened miscarriage are scared by the prospect of taking Dexamethasone tablets, which are differently reviewed. Indeed, the hormone has many side effects, but they occur with prolonged use of its high doses, ¼ tablets per day are not many, the risk of losing a child is higher.
Clucocorticosteroids can stop fetal growth in the early stages of development, and adrenal insufficiency often occurs before childbirth, therefore, Dexamethasone tablets should not be taken in the first weeks of conception and at the end of the pregnancy, while pregnancy with a threat against increased male sex hormones is a direct indication for this medicines. The main thing is to find a competent doctor and pass all the necessary tests.