Dexamethasone Nursing Considerations, Side Effects, and Mechanism of Action Pharmacology for Nurses

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Dexamethasone

Generic Name: dexamethasone

Trade Name: Decadron

Indication: manage cerebral edema, assess for Cushing's Disease Action Suppress inflammation and normal immune response. Used in inflammatory states to decrease inflammation.

Therapeutic Class: antiasthmatics, corticosteroids

Pharmacologic Class: corticosteroids

Nursing Considerations
 excreted by the liver - monitor liver profile
 avoid in active untreated infections
 may cause CNS alterations
 may cause peptic ulcers
 may cause Cushingoid appearance (buffalo hump, moon face)
 weight gain
 osteoporosis
 decrease wound healing
 may elevate blood sugars
 may increase cholesterol and lipid values