Decason 6mg Tablet 1 Strip

✔️ Side Effects

Long-term dexamethasone use can cause adverse effects in multiple body systems:

Endocrine & Metabolic Effects

• Cushing’s syndrome (moon face, weight gain, fat redistribution)
• Hirsutism (excessive hair growth in women)
• Menstrual irregularities
• Increased blood sugar levels
• Calcium and nitrogen imbalance

Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalance

• Sodium and fluid retention (swelling, hypertension)
• Potassium loss leading to muscle weakness

Musculoskeletal Effects

• Osteoporosis (increased fracture risk)
• Muscle wasting (myopathy)
• Aseptic necrosis of bones (e.g., femoral head)

Gastrointestinal Effects

• Ulcers (stomach and intestinal perforation risk)
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Abdominal bloating

Dermatological Effects

• Delayed wound healing
• Skin thinning (atrophy), stretch marks (striae)
• Acne and excessive sweating

Neurological & Psychiatric Effects

• Mood swings (euphoria, depression, anxiety, psychosis)
• Insomnia
• Increased intracranial pressure in children (pseudotumor cerebri)

Ophthalmic Effects

• Glaucoma (increased eye pressure, vision issues)
• Cataracts

Immunosuppressive Effects

• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Reduced vaccine response

✔️ Oral Dosage (Tablets)

• Adults: 0.75 mg to 9 mg daily, divided into 2-4 doses.
• Children: 0.03 mg to 0.2 mg/kg of body weight daily, depending on the severity of the condition.
• Cushing’s Syndrome Screening:
  • Short test: 1 mg dexamethasone at 11 p.m., with cortisol levels checked the next morning.
  • Extended test: 0.5 mg every 6 hours for 48 hours, then 2 mg every 6 hours for another 48 hours, with urine collected for 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) analysis.

✔️ Drug Interactions

Potential Interactions with Other Medications:

• Diuretics & Cardiac Glycosides: Increases the risk of potassium loss, which can enhance cardiac glycoside toxicity.
• Antidiabetic Medications: May increase blood sugar levels, necessitating higher doses of diabetes medications.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding.
• Anticoagulants: Can alter the effects of blood thinners, requiring dosage adjustments.
• Liver Enzyme Inducers (e.g., rifampicin, phenytoin, barbiturates, ephedrine, primidone): May reduce dexamethasone effectiveness.
• Salicylates (aspirin): Reducing the dexamethasone dose may increase the risk of salicylate toxicity.
• Antacids (magnesium trisilicate): Can impair dexamethasone absorption—doses should be spaced apart.

✔️ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

• Category C drug: Use only if the benefits outweigh risks.
• May cause birth defects (cleft palate, low birth weight, growth restrictions).
• Women of reproductive age should use contraception during treatment and for at least one month after stopping the drug.
• Breastfeeding is not recommended while on dexamethasone, as it can pass into breast milk and affect infant growth.

✔️ Pediatric Patients

May slow growth in children—lowest effective dose should be used.

✔️ Decason 6 should not be used in patients with:

• Peptic ulcers (gastric or duodenal ulcers)
• Active systemic fungal infections
• Certain viral infections (e.g., herpes simplex, varicella, herpes genitalis, viral eye infections)
• Glaucoma
• Hypersensitivity to corticosteroids

✔️ Precautions & Warnings

• Lowest effective dose should be used to minimize risks.
• Taper off dosage gradually to avoid adrenal insufficiency.
• Caution in patients with:
  • Heart failure, high blood pressure, or kidney disease (due to fluid retention risks).
  • Diabetes mellitus (may require dose adjustments).
  • Gastrointestinal disorders (ulcer risk).
  • Osteoporosis (especially in postmenopausal women).
  • Neuromuscular conditions (e.g., myasthenia gravis, epilepsy).

✔️ Storage:

• Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture.
• Keep all medications out of children’s reach.