Dexazone

The glucocorticoid drug Dexazone is a representative of corticosteroids for systemic use.

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Indications Dexazone

The list of indications for which Dexazone is appropriate to use is quite wide. It includes the following main diseases and conditions for which the drug is administered as intramuscular or intravenous injections:

• pathologies of the endocrine system (adrenocortical deficiency, adrenal hyperplasia, subacute thyroiditis, endocrine tumors);
• allergic conditions (status asthmaticus, allergic rhinitis, atopic manifestations of dermatitis, serum sickness, Quincke's edema, anaphylaxis);
• dermatological pathologies (erythema multiforme, mycosis fungoides, true pemphigus, vesicular dermatitis);
• lipoid nephrosis, lupus nephritis;
• digestive disorders (ulcerative inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease);
• pathologies of the hematopoietic system (secondary hemolytic anemia of an autoimmune nature, thrombocytopenic purpura, hereditary hypoplastic anemia, erythroblastopenic syndrome);
• oncological diseases (leukemia, lymphoma, leukemia);
• ophthalmopathologies (ophthalmic herpes, ophthalmia, keratouveitis, inflammation of the optic nerve);
• pathologies of the respiratory system (sarcoidosis, widespread tuberculosis, Loeffler's disease);
• rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis, synovitis, bursitis, tendovaginitis, spondylitis, epicondylitis, etc.;
• connective tissue diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic carditis);
• cerebral edema of various etiologies;
• tuberculous meningitis, trichinosis with involvement of nerve fibers and heart muscle.

Intra-articular injections of Dexazone are used for inflammatory and destructive changes inside the joints.

Local application of Dexazone is possible for keloid formations, psoriasis, alopecia areata, annular granuloma, discoid lupus.

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Release form

Dexazone is a liquid for injection with the active ingredient dexamethasone.

1 ml of injection solution contains 4 mg of the active ingredient in the form of sodium phosphate dexamethasone.

The injection liquid is transparent, without any specific shade or color.

The drug Dexazone is available in glass ampoules with a capacity of 1 ml, only with a doctor's prescription.

Pharmacodynamics

Dexazone and the active ingredient of the drug belong to fluorinated glucocorticoid hormones, which have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Mineralocorticoid properties are more active, compared to other drugs of this pharmacological category.

The action of the drug Dexazone is due to the inhibition of migration and properties of macrophages, T-lymphocytes and other cytokines, as well as the suppression of genes.

Among other things, glucocorticoid hormones have a significant impact on metabolic processes and electrolyte balance in the body.

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Pharmacokinetics

When Dexazone is injected intramuscularly, the maximum content of the active ingredient in the blood serum is detected after 60 minutes.

The half-life may be approximately 3 hours 10 minutes.

Dexazone and its active ingredient bind to plasma proteins by 77%. No more than 65% of the administered dose is excreted from the body through the urinary system within 24 hours.

Dexazone crosses the placental barrier without any problems.

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Dosing and administration

Doses for hormonal therapy with Dexazone are prescribed individually. In severe cases, Dexazone is administered 10-15 mg daily. The maintenance dose of the drug is from 2 to 4.5 mg daily. The daily dosage is administered in 2-3 injections. If the dose is small, then it is allowed to administer once a day - in the morning.

Intra-articular and intramuscular injections can be administered 3-4 times a day, in the amount of 4-20 mg. As a rule, such treatment continues for up to 4 days, after which the patient is transferred to internal administration of the drug.

The pediatric dosage of Dexazone may be 0.02 mg of the drug per 1 kg of the child's weight, or 0.67 mg per m² of total body surface area (the amount of the drug per day, divided by 3 administrations).

Use Dexazone during pregnancy

Dexazone and other glucocorticoid hormones easily overcome the placental layer and can be determined in fairly high concentrations in fetal tissues. Studies have shown that even small doses of the drug can affect the degree of risk of developing placental insufficiency, oligohydramnios, slowing down fetal growth, developing intrauterine pathologies, and can even lead to fetal death.

Dexazone can be prescribed to pregnant women only if there are vital indications.

A small amount of the drug is also found in breast milk, which may affect the inhibition of the growth and development of the baby and the deterioration of the secretion of endogenous glucocorticoid hormones. For this reason, breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment with the drug.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the ingredients of Dexazone.
• Fungal infections of a systemic nature.
• Other systemic infections.
• Vaccination with live vaccines with simultaneous administration of immunosuppressive doses of Dexazone.
• Infections of the joints and surrounding soft tissues.

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Side effects Dexazone

• Endocrine disorders: corticosteroid diabetes mellitus, suppression of natural hormone production by the adrenal glands, pituitary obesity, menstrual irregularities, delayed sexual development in adolescents.
• Metabolic disorders: increased excretion of calcium ions, weight gain, increased protein breakdown, hyperhidrosis, hypernatremia.
• Nervous system disorders: disorientation, hallucinations, depressive states, manic states, paranoid states, irritability, sleep disorders, convulsions, headaches.
• Cardiovascular disorders: slowing of cardiac activity, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypertension, increased blood clotting, thrombosis.
• Digestive disorders: attacks of nausea and vomiting, inflammation of the pancreas, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, changes in appetite, bloating, hyperactivity of liver transaminases and alkaline phosphatase.
• Ophthalmological disorders: cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, infectious eye diseases, corneal dystrophy, exophthalmos.
• Changes in bones and muscles: osteoporosis, tendon weakness, glucocorticosteroid myopathy, muscle atrophy.
• Skin disorders: impaired wound healing, skin dystrophy, acne, striae, infectious predisposition of the skin and mucous membranes, local tissue necrosis.
• Allergic processes.
• Immunosuppressive conditions.

Overdose

In rare cases, intoxication and death of patients have occurred after taking excessive amounts of Dexazone.

There is no specific antidote - instead, treatment is carried out according to the existing symptoms, and measures are taken to maintain the body's basic vital functions.

If anaphylactic shock develops, the patient is given adrenaline and artificial ventilation is performed. The patient is provided with warmth, access to fresh air and rest.

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Interactions with other drugs

Concomitant use	Consequences of use
Antipsychotic drugs, azathioprine, bucarban	Development of cataracts
Dexamethasone	Decreased action of insulin and hypoglycemic agents for internal use
Hormonal contraceptives, estrogens, anabolics, androgens	Development of hirsutism, appearance of acne
Diuretics	Hypokalemia
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs	Digestive system damage
Cardiac glycosides	Intolerance to cardiac glycosides due to potassium deficiency
Anticoagulants for internal use	Decreased anticoagulant effect
Methotrexate	Increased toxic load on the liver
Rifampicin, sleeping pills, phenytoin	Increased elimination of the active ingredient Dexazone from the body

Dexazone is not mixed in one injection with any other medications or substances, except for physiological sodium chloride solution and 5% glucose solution.

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Storage conditions

Dexazone in ampoules can be stored in normal room conditions with a room temperature of no more than +25°C, out of reach of children.

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Shelf life

Dexazone is stored for no more than 3 years, after which the drug should be disposed of.

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