Questions and Answers
What is the drug classification of Dexamethasone?
What is the mechanism of action of Dexamethasone?
Suppresses acute and chronic inflammation by regulating gene expression to inhibit inflammatory agents.
What are the pharmacokinetics of Dexamethasone? (Onset, Peak Effects, Duration, Half-Life)
Onset of Action: Hours, Peak Effects: 8-12 hours, Duration of Action: 24-72 hours, Half-Life: 4 hours.
Which of the following are indications for Dexamethasone? (Select all that apply)
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What is a contraindication for using Dexamethasone?
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What are some side effects of Dexamethasone?
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What is the recommended dose of Dexamethasone for adults with asthma?
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What are precautions associated with long-term steroid use?
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Dexamethasone has known drug-drug interactions.
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Study Notes
Dexamethasone Overview
- Dexamethasone is classified as a corticosteroid, specifically an adrenal glucocorticoid known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Mechanism of Action
- Suppresses both acute and chronic inflammation by regulating gene expression.
- Increases the synthesis of proteins and enzymes that inhibit inflammatory agents.
- Exhibits immunosuppressive effects.
Pharmacokinetics
- Onset of action occurs within hours.
- Peak effects are observed 8 to 12 hours post-administration.
- Duration of action ranges from 24 to 72 hours.
- The half-life is approximately 4 hours.
Indications for Use
- Effective in treating asthma.
- Used in allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
- Commonly prescribed for croup.
Contraindications
- Not to be administered in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug.
Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
- Potential side effects include fluid retention, congestive heart failure (CHF), hypertension (HTN), nausea, vomiting, vertigo, headache (HA), malaise, hiccups, psychoses, and restlessness.
- Single doses generally do not cause adverse reactions.
Dosage Recommendations
- For adults with asthma, the recommended dose is 10 mg via IV, IO, or PO.
- For pediatric croup patients, a preferred dose is 0.6 mg/kg via IV, IO, or PO, with a maximum dose of 10 mg.
Precautions
- Long-term use of steroids may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, delayed wound healing, and suppression of adrenal cortex function, resulting in adrenal insufficiency.
Drug-Drug Interactions
- No known significant drug-drug interactions with dexamethasone are reported.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid with significant anti-inflammatory properties. Explore its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, indications for use, contraindications, and potential side effects. Test your knowledge on this crucial medication and its clinical applications.
