dexamethasone 4mg QID

Question 1

Class

Answer 1

Corticosteroids

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

• cerebral oedema
• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
• multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukaemia
  Bacterial meningitis

Question 3

Dose Range

Answer 3

4-16mg

Question 4

Counselling/SE

Answer 4

• Take with food
• Do not stop abruptly
• Take in the morning if once daily dosing as may cause insomnia if taken close to bedtime
• If you become ill, or have close contact with someone with an infection, chickenpox or shingles, see your doctor
• This medication may affect your mood, if affected speak to your doctor

SE:

• GI effects (dyspepsia, peptic ulceration, gastric bleeding)
• Metabolic effects (hyperglycaemia, diabetes)
• Increased appetite, weight gain
• Insomnia
• Psychological disturbances (psychosis, euphoria, depression)
• Immunosuppression and increase risk of infection
• Myopathy, muscle weakness
• Osteoporosis (long-term)

Question 5

Monitoring

Answer 5

• Weight
• infections
• BMD, calcium and vitamin D
• BSL