dexamethasone-for-dogs[/caption]Dexamethasone Tablets
Dexamethasone Tablets are used for a number of conditions, including allergies, inflammation, certain types of colitis, and many other diseases. Dexamethasone Tablets require a prescription from your veterinarian and are sold per tablet.
Cats and Dogs
- Effective for treating allergies and inflammation
- Decreases swelling and pain caused by inflammatory conditions
- It can also be used to treat certain forms of arthritis
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid which inhibits inflammation, and reduces irritation, redness, burning, and swelling.
Give this medication exactly as directed by your veterinarian. Do not stop using this medication suddenly, especially if it has been used for several weeks or more. The dose may need to be reduced over several days to prevent side effects.
Azium (Schering Plough), Decadron (Merck)
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone is in a class called corticosteroids. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid used as an anti-inflammatory to treat a variety of conditions including lupus, acute arthritis, allergies, cancers, brain swelling, and other conditions. Dexamethasone may also be used for purposes other than those listed.
Do not use dexamethasone if the pet has a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection without also using proper anti-infective treatment. Do not use this medication in animals allergic to it. Tell your veterinarian if the animal has heart disease, seizures, diabetes, osteoporosis, or impaired liver function. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is pregnant or lactating. Corticosteroid therapy may induce delivery in large animal species during the latter stages of pregnancy.
Dexamethasone is a prescription medication for use in dogs and cats available by prescription as 0.5mg tablets. The usual dose of dexamethasone is dependent on the condition being treated and the pet's response to the treatment. When discontinuing use of this medication after prolonged treatment, withdrawal should be gradual, not abrupt.
Give this medication exactly as directed by your veterinarian. Follow the directions on the prescription label. If you do not understand the directions ask the pharmacist or veterinarian to explain them to you. Store dexamethasone at room temperature. Keep this medication out of the reach of children and pets.
Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and give the next one as directed. Do not give a double dose of the medication.
Do not give dexamethasone if your pet is also being given an NSAID such as aspirin or carprofen (Rimadyl), and others. Do not administer this medication in the presence of a systemic fungal infection. Do not administer any live virus vaccines.
Side effects of dexamethasone may include changes in appetite, increased thirst and urination, drowsiness, and hyperglycemia. Long term use may cause symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, impaired wound healing, and muscle loss and weakness. Continue the medication and talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to your pet.
Before giving dexamethasone, tell your veterinarian if your pet is being given any other oral steroid medications such as prednisone, prednisOLOne, Methylprednisolone or others. Tell your veterinarian if the pet is being given furosemide, NSAIDs such as carprofen (Rimadyl), deracoxib (Deramaxx), or etodolac (EtoGesic), phenytoin (Dilantin), Phenobarbital, cyclosporine (Atopica), or mitotane (Lysodren). Drugs other than those listed may also interact with dexamethasone. Talk to your veterinarian or pharmacist before giving any prescription or over the counter medicines.
Your pharmacist has additional information about dexamethasone written for health professionals that you may read.
Call your veterinarian for medical advice about any side effects to your pet. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
General Description
Dexamethasone is many times more potent than other anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressing drugs including hydrocortisone and prednisone. It is often mixed with other drugs to treat difficult ear, eye, and skin infections. It reaches every system in the body and therefore is used to treat many disorders:
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic Lupus
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Dermatologic diseases
- Hematologic disorders
- Neoplasia (Tumor growth)
- Nervous system disease
- Emergency shock
- General inflammation
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Nephrotic syndrome
Dexamethasone is also used in some diagnostic tests, including the Low-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression test (LDDS). This test involves an initial baseline blood sample, an injection of the Dexamethasone, and two subsequent blood draws 4 and 8 hours later. Dexamethasone will suppress the amount of cortisol in a healthy dog, and the cortisol levels will be less than the level before the injection. In a Cushing’s syndrome dog, the levels will be elevated due to an excessive amount of cortisol being produced.
How It Works
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid known as a glucocorticoid. Corticosteroids are meant to resemble a naturally occurring hormone produced in the adrenal cortex, cortisol. Corticosteroids act on the immune system by blocking the production of substances that trigger inflammatory and immune responses.
Storage Information
Keep in a tightly sealed container at room temperature unless otherwise noted. Keep injection protected from light.
Missed Dose?
Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give your pet two doses at once.
Side Effects and Drug Reactions
Dexamethasone may result in these side effects:
- Change in disposition
- Increase in seizure activity
- Increased appetite
- Increase in food and water intake
- Increased urination (though less common in Dexamaethasone than in other steroids)
- Increased susceptibility for viral and bacterial infections
- Panting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Ulceration of the digestive tract
- Lethargy
Use caution and discuss with you veterinarian before administering Dexamethasone to animals with these conditions:
- Diabetes
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Hypertension
- Systemic infections
- Heart problems
- Osteoporosis
- Glaucoma
- Ulcers of the intestines
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy
Dexamethasone may react with these drugs:
- Amphotericin
- Aspirin
- Cyclophosphamide
- Cyclosporine
- Digoxin
- Daunorubicin HCl
- Doxorubicin HCl
- Insulin
- Mitotane
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin sodium
- Rifampin
- Rimadyl
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