MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Department of Pharmacy
Department of Nursing
Critical Care
| Generic Name: | Dexamethasone |
| Trade Name: | Decadron |
| Action: | Glucocorticoid |
| Indications: | Adrenal Insufficiency Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Cerebral Edema Inflammatory Diseases Dexamethasone Suppression Test (Diagnosistic test for Cushing's disease) |
| Administration Guidelines: | |
| Usual Dosage Range and Route: |
Initial Dose: 1 - 10 mg IVP every six hours Suppression Test Dose: 1mg IV 24 HOUR CUMULATIVE DOSE: 100 mg |
| Special Considerations: | - Monitor serum glucose, serum
electrolytes, serum osmolality - Prolonged administration will require tapering of dose to discontinue therapy - May require hyperglycemic therapy in susceptible patients - Dosage range may vary greatly depending on disease state. |
| Precautions and Side Effects: | - Electrolyte imbalance - Hyperglycemia - CNS disturbances, hallucinations - Gastrointestinal disturbances - Adrenal suppression |
revised 09/03