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Risk Factors:

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to dexamethasone. Systemic fungal infections cerebral malaria.Pregnancy/Lactation: Crosses placenta. Distributed in breast milk. Children: Prolonged treatment with high-dose therapy may decrease short-term growth rate cortisol secretion. Elderly: Higher risk for developing hypertension osteoporosis.

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Indications:

Used primarily as an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant agent in a variety
of diseases (e.g. allergic inflammatory autoimmune). OFF-LABEL:
Antiemetic treatment of croup dexamethasone suppression test (indicator
consistent with suicide and/or depression) accelerate fetal lung maturation.
Treatment of acute mountain sickness high-altitude cerebral edema.

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Adverse Effects:

Frequent: Inhalation: Cough dry mouth hoarseness throat irritation.
Intranasal: Burning mucosal dryness. Ophthalmic: Blurred vision. Systemic:
Insomnia facial edema (cushingoid appearance ["moon face"]) moderate
abdominal distention indigestion increased appetite nervousness facial
flushing diaphoresis. Occasional: Inhalation: Localized fungal infection
(thrush). Intranasal: Crusting inside nose epistaxis sore throat ulceration of
nasal mucosa. Ophthalmic: Decreased vision; lacrimation; eye pain; burning
stinging redness of e1; nausea; vomiting. Systemic: Dizziness
decreased/blurred vision. Rare: Inhalation: Increased bronchospasm
esophageal candidiasis. Intranasal: Nasal/pharyngeal candidiasis eye pain.
Systemic: Generalized allergic reaction (rash urticaria); pain redness swelling
at Injectionection site; psychological changes; false sense of well-being;
hallucinations; depression.
Adverse effects/toxic reactions
Long-term therapy: Muscle wasting (esp. arms legs) osteoporosis
spontaneous fractures amenorrhea cataracts glaucoma peptic ulcer disease
HF. Ophthalmic: Glaucoma ocular hypertension cataracts. Abrupt
withdrawal following long-term therapy: Severe joint pain severe headache
anorexia nausea fever rebound inflammation fatigue weakness lethargy
dizziness orthostatic hypotension.

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Don’t Use:

Thyroid disease renal/hepatic
impairment cardiovascular disease diabetes glaucoma cataracts myasthenia
gravis pts at risk for seizures osteoporosis post-MI elderly.